EMIGRATION SWINDLES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 957, 22 November 1879, Page 2

EMIGRATION SWINDLES.

The other day, a letter went the round of the Press, written by Mr G. M. Reed, Emigration Agent m Ireland for this colony, m which he exposed the swindles perpesrated by sub-agents under the regulations for nominating immigrants. The following extract indicates how it is done under the New South Wales Government. MrForster, late AgentGeneral, was furnished with one special cade, aAd the name and residence of an agent who, it was alleged, systematically deceived people who proposed coming out to the colony, and who, m addition to deceiving them, defrauded the Government. The details of the swindle forwarded to the Agent-General, read as follows : — There is another agent m England at a place called Brierley Hill, near Birmingham,'' named Daniel Bent. H# will supply you with printed forms, on which it states that farming men get from £80 to £100 a year with double rations, and receive much liberty and consideration

from their masters. This Mr Bent, of Brierley Hall, when you go to interview him, will ask you what yon are. If you say you are an engine-driver, or fitter, or blacksmith, instead of informing you that there are hundreds here already unable to find employment at their trades, he will tell you there is a great - demand for such men, who can earn £3 10s to £4, and if good hands, £5 per week. Nor is this all about him. If you are a fitter or engine-driver having to pay £5 for your assisted pas-—* sage, although fully aware that the colony is not m want of such tradesmen, he will keep this knowledge from you, and will say, " Now I will tell you what to do. Say you are a farm-labourer, and then I can get your pass for £2, and that will save you £3, then you oan give; me £1 or 10s, whichever you can afford ;" but don't tell anyone anything about it, or it will stop you and get me into trouble." And anothing thing is j Sup» pose a married man ? with wife and children, went to this same man and said, "I want a pass for Sydney, N.5.W.," he would reply: Oh, don't have a pass ; I will tell you the best thing you can do both for yourself and Z me. You can emigrate out for £2 eaoh, and £1 for the children over 12 years } and that will save yon £14 each for yourself and wife. That is a lot b_Z money you can save, and if you will tip** me £6 I will do that for you." " All right," says the man, "it will suit me." ; " Now don't say a word," aays the agent, ' "or you will get yourself into prison and me too."