ANGRY EX-SETTLERS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 97, 7 April 1934, Page 8

ANGRY EX-SETTLERS

Back from Victoria AIRING OF GRIEVANCES LONDON, March 30. “If ever you meet an Australian, strangle him,” shouted an ex-Vic-torian migrant from a train, to a welcoming crowd a.t Waterloo Station yesterday. This was a preface to a storm of complaints and denunciations poured into the ears of London journalists by ex-settlers, who made no secret of their desire to obtain additional compensation from the British Government. Tho Hobsons Bay and Ballarat each brought six families. - Three were stated to be destitute, lacking even the price of their next meal. The Britisn Legion is temporarily assisting them. Mr. R. H. Turton (Conservative — Thirsk and Malton, Yorkshire) alleged in the House of Commons that Victoria was taking steps to prevent the return to Britain of indebted settlers. ii t , asked whether the Government would make representations to enable them to return. Mr. Malcolm MacDonald, Undersecretary for the Dominions, replied that his department was not aware of anything of the nature suggested. On the contrary, Victoria was providing £BOOO to meet urgent private debts of settlers. This amount supplemented the £lO,OOO provided by the British Government. Mr. Turton: Did not returned settlers yesterday deposit at Whitehall a statement that a High Court writ had been issued against every settler entitled to compensation!! Mr. 'MacDonald said he thougfix private creditors had taken some action. The Government of Victoria, in fact, was facilitating the settlers’ return. Mr. Turton: Is not the Under-Secre-tary aware that one settler had to try to board a steamer at three different ports beeuus officers were waiting to arrest him? He suggested that Mr. MacDonald ask Victoria to al'ow them to take refuge in England, in spite of nnv private debts thev might have. Mr. MacDonald promised to look into nnv case of which details were available.