CANADIAN COLONIZATION.

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 May 1906, Page 4

CANADIAN COLONIZATION.

SOME PECULIAR TRANSACTIONS [BY BLECTEIO TELEGRAPH—COTTMGHT J [HSU PRESS ASSOCIATION.] OTTAWA, May 20. Mr Preston, Canadian Emigration Commissioner in England, gavo sensational evidence before the Dominion House of Representatives' Committee on colonisation. In regard to the affairs m connection with the inception of the North Atlantic Trading Company, ho declared that Lord Strathcona, High Commissioner for Canada, and Mr J. G. Colmer, his secretary, held a meeting with the steamship agents at Hamburg in 1898 to discuss tho enlargement of the field of Continental emigration to Canada. Baron Hadzfieldt, then German Ambassador in England, was instructed that unless Lord Strathcona could satisfactorily explain his action it was inadvisable that Lord Strathcona should return to Germany. Mr Preston said lie understood that the explanation made through Lord Salisbury was that the German lawwould not bo transgressed. He added that a company was formed, and the continental booking agents were pledged not to violate tho laws of tho countries in which they operated. The names of those associated with tho matter were kept confidential. Mr Fielding, Minister of, Finance, announced in the Dominon House. that Lord Strathcona had written, declaring that the contract with the company and tho names were confidential.