THE DESTITUTION IN AMERICA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 4077, 21 February 1894, Page 4

THE DESTITUTION IN AMERICA.

Captain W. P. Lord of s.s. Croma, of Leith, writes as follows :—": — " It is with the view of removing a popular fallacy that the following lines are written, and if they prove the means of preventing undue suffering my object will be attained. The unfortunate class who are compelled by circumstances to emigrate, do so — in the majority of cases— without a knowledge of what hardship awaits them. That the United States of America is not the "El Dorado" that it is generally supposed to be is frequently found out when too late. Evidences which cannot be controverted are daily cropping up, F or instance, there are far more applications from people desiring to work their way borne from

America than there are from those trying to find their way oat. This is proved by the unusual number of stowaways on steamers on the home run. Quiet recently twenty of these poor people were turned ashore from an Anchor Line boat. Even then I have no doubt that some succeeded in evading detection. The Arrow Line steamers very rarely leave New York without finding several on board. Their ingenuity in finding hiding places is a revelation, and suggests the thought that members of the crew are in collusion with them. A batch of six men were found in a spare boiler of the Croma just arrived in Leith. Strangers to a ship would scarcely hit upon a hiding place of this sort unless assisted by some one " behind the scenes." " Whilst every sympathy must be extended towards those so unfortunately placed, their poverty is not a sufficient warranty for their breaking the law. Some few years ago a beggar was an unknown object in the United States. Now one can scarcely pass through a street without being accosted by appeals for help. This state of affairs is not produced by the depression in any particular trade. All seem alike. Even fireman and sailors, who were formerly at a< great premium, are in many cases only too glad to work their way home. The western cities are equally affected. Twenty-two thousand persons were supplied with food in one day last September by one charitable organisation. If such deplorable destitution can be taken as an index of the country generally it should prove the reason why those intending to migrate thitherward should pause.