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12
ALIEN IMMIGRATION.
Owing, probably, to the sitting of the Royal Commission on Alien
Immigration, and the consequent fear that restrictions would be placed upon
the landing of aliens in this country, large numbers of such immigrants came
during the year from Libau, in Russia.
Upon enquiry it was found that the custom of the forwarding agents in
Russia was to purchase or hire a certain amount of cubic space in the ship.
In this space they would pack as many people as they could sell tickets to,
irrespective of age or sex. The vessels were inspected on arrival, and
the following facts were reported to your Committee:—
"The class of immigrants to which I refer are those brought to this country from
"Russia at a low rate, and they are herded together—men, women and children—
" in a space which is not limited by any regard for health or decency. It is, of
" course, a fact that the standard of comfort with these people is much lower than
" obtains even amongst the lowest in this country. Therefore, it can be readily
" understood that in the small space which is allowed to these people on board ship,
" the conditions referred to are aggravated to a degree which can be better imagined
"than described. There is no separation of sexes, the whole of the immigrants
" occupying the one space by day, and at night sleeping on a common bench or
" shelf, which occupies one portion of the space. The temporary closets provided
" on deck are used indiscriminately by all, and in the case of the vessels which I
" mention below the foulness arising from the condition of the people and their
" surroundings was made worse by the drainage of urine, &c., from the horses
" which occupied adjoining parts of the hold. (1) On the 14th May the s.s.
"'Riberhuus,' of Esbjerg, from Libau, arrived at Gravesend with 133 Russian
"immigrants, made up of 91 adults and 42 children. The vessel left Libau on the
" 11th May. The immigrants were carried in the upper after 'tween decks, except
" seven, who were berthed in the saloon. This space had a total cubic capacity of
"7,621 feet, which provided 72'6 cubic feet per head. The total floor space was
"433 square feet, which allowed 4*12 square feet per head. The only ventilation
" provided was by four side ports, which were, of course, closed, by the after hatch"
way, and by way of the bunkers. Access to these quarters was afforded by the
" bunker hatchway on each side. The space was lighted by deck lights. The vessel
" carried 272 horses. Fifty of these were carried immediately below the immigrants'
" quarters, and the emanations from the animals and ordure had free access to the
" quarters by means of the hatchways. Ninety horses were carried in the upper
" 'tween decks forward of the space occupied by the immigrants, and liquid, con"
sisting principally of urine drainage from these animals, was allowed to run down
"the intermediate lobbies into the immigrants' quarters. (2) On the 21st May
"the s.s. 'Hengest,' of Aarhuus, from Libau, arrived at Gravesend with 171
"Russian immigrants. The vessel left Libau on the 17th May. The immigrants
" were carried in the after main 'tween decks in a space with a total capacity of
" 7,172.9 cubic feet, giving 50.16 cubic feet per head only. The total floor space
" measured 393.3 square feet, an area of 2.3 square feet only per head being
" available. 1 would here call attention to the fact that the cubic space and floor
" space in the case of this vessel was even less than that provided in the case of the
"s.s. 'Riberhuus,' previously mentioned. The quarters occupied by the immigrants