MIGRANTS COMPLAIN

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 171, 15 April 1932, Page 11

MIGRANTS COMPLAIN

Conditions in Australia COMMONS PETITIONED London, April 13. The Commonwealth Attorney-Gen-eral, Mr. J. G. Latham, has issued to the Press a reply to a petition signed by 50,000 migrants to Australia, which Mr. J. McGovern (Lab.) presented to the House of Commons to-day. The petitioners contended that they left their homes in Britain owing to "extravagant, misleading, and in many cases Indubitably false propaganda by Australian Governments. “Many of the’ signatories,” they stated, “are now reduced to misery, serai-starvation, and despair. Suicides are frequent. Some have Jost their reason, and young women have sold their virtue. The men are herded in camps under conditions hardly better than those of convicts. Mr. Latham points out that assisted migration was practically suspended at the beginning of 1930, that there is unemployment. and distress in every country, and that a large majority of the migrants went on the nomination of relatives or friends. It is improper, he says, to suggest that any Government was responsible for their migration. When depression was accentuated, and the drop in prices became grave, assisted migration was suspended, Mr. Latham continues. Many migrants who returned to England are now seeking facilities to return to Australia, having found opportunities and prospects here at least no better than in Australia, Many statements in the petition are exaggerated or without foundation. The migrants were given t.be same unemployment relief as Australians. It would be improper to anticipate the results of the Victorian inquiry.