INCENSED MIGRANTS

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17787, 12 August 1929, Page 7

INCENSED MIGRANTS

INCIDENT ON THE BENDIGO MR HUGHES APOLOGISES. FOR CONDEMNATORY STATEMENT. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian Press Association ) (Received August 12, 8.55 a.m.) SYDNEY, August 12. It is reported that after the steamer Bendigo left Fremantle the passengers held an indignation meeting to protest against the statements made by Mr Gollingwood Hughes, ex-Membor of the House of Commons who is a passenger with-his wife and had made condemnatory statements about the class of migrants voyaging to Australia in the ship. Mr. Hughes, who was in his cabin with the door locned, refused to attend the meeting though ex-service men aboard promised him protection. He was prevailed on to writ* an .ipciogj for ills references to Australia House and the medical officers concerned, but he denied using some of the words attributed to him. Later, Mr Hughes under escort attended a meeting of passengers, who received his verbal apology in tense silence.

Mr Collingwood Hughes was a passenger on the Bendigo which is bringing some assisted passengers to Australia. Upon arrival at Fremantle he had some very uncomplimentary remarks to make regarding the type of migrant on board, declaring that they would be of no benefit to Australia and were no credit to England. Some lie declared were of tiic type who were not looking for work. Australia, he declared was gelling street corner loafers;