, 1893-05-10

lnuOspltaDie country, no OCn0r warning ouH@A
to be necessary to deter others from going
The above extract throws a lurid light on
what must be regarded as a very gloomy
picture. The Agent, Mr.. Gaskin, will, no
doubt, tell us that the emigrauts were not
deceived and that no improper means were
adopted in inducing them to emigratA
And, for aught We know, there may be much
truth in the statement, at least so far an Mr..
Gaskin is personally concerned for. we are
unwilling to believe that, for mere filthy Ia.
ere, a gentleman of his standing would base.
~ and wilfully deceive his poor brethren.
Be this as it may, there is not the shadow
of q doubt as to the people here growing
greatly disconnected with their miserable
lot, from day to day lying in enforced
idleness, or labouring for a mere ~pittance
to keep body and soul together. And this
10 the lesson which we desire that our men
of light and leading should take earnestly
to heart. The condition of the wages hers
ia such that sections of the population can be
got to 60 to the wilds of Africa. or, for the
matter of that, to any place under the sun
for, even if it turns out to be true that i'm
proper means were used to mislead them, we
nave it on reliable authority that . rival
agent warned the people against emigrating
and appraised them pretty generally as to the
state of things they were likely to experience
iu The country of their destination. Out Of
sheer humanity, we understand, the warning
was given, and some pains were taken to- ina.
press the people as to the risk they were
foolishly running. It comes to this then, that
the Government has upon it the burden of
duty to investigate the matter, and if it be
found true that improper means were used to
achieve the desired cbiect:either on the part of
the local agent or on the part of those who en-
ployed him, restitution should be demanded.
Sc ing how recently the Dutch authorities
were 80 successful in receiving compensation
of us through application to the Secretary for
the Colonies in the matter Of the refund aofa
fine for smuggling inflicted on the Captain of
the AoGdie, it is the bounden duty of the
Government to investigate this matter to the
core, we say, and obtain if possible soms COM
pensation for he persons deceived and injur-
ed, and for the families of those who have not
survived. AS we'll will it be its paramount
duty, and an obligation on il, to endeavour 20
effect SEINE amelioration in the condition of
the survivors who are yet in a strange land
suffering untold miseries. Let the members
Of the popular branch of the Legislatures, at
least, look to it that the members of the Co.
vernment are not permitted quietly to shirk
their plain duties in this matter. Let Mr..
Herbert Greaves show himself to be
the true patrior which we believe him to be.
1t will be to the everlasting disgrace of the
country if some action be not Immediately
taken. A resolution ought to be passed in
the House of Assembly in connection with the
question before members again meet their
constituents. The people will not he disposed
to view with favour a set Of men Who can sit
quietly and permit so dirty an advantage to
DO taken Of their fellows. Of course, this 10
on the assumption that the case is as it has
been reported to be. That the people will
believe the tale as it runs, there is not the
shadow of a doubt. And, although they may
not be able to administer prompt punishment
to their representatives, owing to the lmlta-
tons of the franchise, yet they can show their
dissatisfaction in q variety of wayswhich would,
at least. command consideration. Some eftort
must be made to test the truth of the matter,
80 that the minds Of the people generally may
be set at rest. There is also another duty to be
performed by the Government. Everything in-
dictates that the people must emigrate, an'i
that too in numbers 1t should therefore be seen
to that opportunity is given them to go to
some safe place of destination such as is
comprised within the area of our sister
Islands. There would then be no excuse
for people suffering themselves to be misled
into going far from homo. Some Govern
mental scheme should at the earliest
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