EXPENSIVE STOWAWAY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17231, 10 April 1930, Page 13

EXPENSIVE STOWAWAY

STRICT IMMIGRATION LAWS

LONDON. .Fob. 7

The problem or stowaways was discussed recently at a mvling of the Master Maimers (Tub. As an instance of the difficulties which can arise owing to 11i • .stringent immigration laws in countries since the, war. one captain nave the following facts. Shortly after the armistice a negro was signed on as a fireman in North Virginia. As he was over 50 years of age lie had no birth certificate, .the Stale in which lie was born not having at that time adopted such formalities. He saile I for Cardiff and was an exemplary fireman in every way. He was .there paid off and according to his articles received wages until he could he shipped to America .again. In due course a passage was hooked for him. but New York refused him admission and shipped him bjtck again. A second passage wis booked i>v another line with the same result, and a third .time by another company. The Ellis Island officials bv this lime, knew him almost as on old friend, but he was again .refused admission owing to his inability to prove, his American citizenship and being also illiterate. Finally the orig-; inal company which had engaged him bad to send him to school for 18 months arid paid his wages all the time till he was finally landed in New York. A .somewhat ex.petjsjve fireman !