SWINDLERS IN BRITAIN TRY TO EXPLOIT WOULD-BE MIGRANTS

Grey River Argus, 23 May 1947, Page 6

SWINDLERS IN BRITAIN TRY TO EXPLOIT WOULD-BE MIGRANTS

CHRISTCHURCH, May 22. Difficulties experienced by English folk anxious to migrate to New Zealand, include their exposure to sharp practices by swindlers, who accept a substantial deposit in return for the promise of a passage to the Dominion. A letter received from Northhampton by Mr T. L. Jones, a Christchurch electrical engineer tells of a Manchester firm, which advertised passages to New Zealand in August, but on police investigation they proved to own nothing more than an ‘old American warship, the engines of which were hopelessly browen down ana the boilers eaten up with rust.” Mr Jones was endeavouring to assist Mr H. B. Ryall, an electrician, of Northampton, to settle in New Zealand’.

On April 29, Mr Ryall had written to say lie had been in communication with a shipping firm in Manchester as the result of an advertisement in a local newspaper, which had included the following extract: “Passages to any Dominion or overseas country arranged. No waiting. Early passages. Apply early.” Mr Ryall wrote to the firm and received a reply, stating that the firm had a vessel sailing for New Zealand in August. It was a converted warship fitted with suitable first and' second class cabin accommodation. Mr Ryall apparently had doubts about the Manchester firm, because he wrote to the Manchester C.1.D., who found the ship fit only for the breakers’ yard. Mr Ryall added that he had been thanked by the chief constable for his action, which had helped to save the hard-earned' savings of many people desiring to visit New Zealand.