MEDICAL INSPECTION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8655, 13 February 1914, Page 7

MEDICAL INSPECTION

THOSE DRASTIC REGULATIONS GOVERNING AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION, Djr Telegraph—Press Association —Copyriffb* Sydney ‘'Sim” Special Gables.) LONDON, I'ebruary lilt is expected that the new system of medical inspection of emigrants will be in lull operation by the end of March in regard to every town where there is a passenger agent. Officials repudiate the suggestion, that the scheme will seriously reduce emigration to Australia. They say that Canada, and other Dominions are earnestly and sympathetically watching the development l of the scheme.' They regard the fact that one hundred British emigrants to the United States are refused admission monthly as, being unfit is a sufficient warning and a full justification for careful medical examination here. They declare that passenger agents are not generally protesting, though the shipping companies are not pleased, especially with the idea of comnul.-iory examination of first-class passengers. A prominent agent asserts that trans-Atlantic shipping companies are laughing and clapping their hands over the prospect of the diversion of intended, immigrants for Australia to Canada and United States.

[Recently the Agents-Geueral for the Australian States. discussed the Commonwealth’s drastic regulations l (which come into force at tho end of March) for the medical inspection of all classes of passengers prior to their embarkation. It was decided (stated a message published a few days since) that they should suggest to. their Governments that the Commonwealth submit the matter for the consideration of the Agents-General, as their experience in connection with emigration would be valuable. Sir Timothy Coghlan (Agent-General for New South Wales) considers the inspection of first-class passengers would greatly affect the traffic. The shipping people think tho necessity for emigrants to visit a doctor, possibly several miles away, and pay a fee of sa, would be likely to divert them to other countries. Dr. Norris (of the Commonwealth Service) has appointed two thousand medical men experienced in industrial insurance and similar work.]