STEERAGE HORRORS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9790, 5 March 1910, Page 6

STEERAGE HORRORS.

A GERMAN REPUDIATION. United Presa Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright. (Received March 5, 8.50 a.m.) LONDON, March 4. In the course of a debate in the Ger man Reichstag, the Government repudiated the American official report alleging immorality and malpractices in the steerage of emigrant steamers, and claimed that the charges did not apply to German lines.

WOMAN AGENT ON "SICKENING SURROUNDINGS."

The report presented to the American Senate on the steerage conditions on Transatlantic liners made by special agents oft the Immigration Commission, travelling as steerage passengers, describes the present conditions as " appalling," despite the fact that in some instances the letter of the law governing the steerage passenger service is implicitly obeyed. Summing up the report, one woman agent says the surroundings offended every sense. Everything was dirty, sticky and sickening, but worse still was the general air of immorality. She declares that the manner in which sailors, stewards, firemen and others mingled with the women was thoroughly revolting. The writer herself was forced to repel the advances of the stewards and crew, and not one young woman among the steerage passengers escaped attack.