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"(g) Such orders and regulations to include provision for medical
"examination of Alien Immigrants at the port of arrival. In cases
"where an immigrant is found to be suffering from infectious or
"loathsome disease, or mental incapacity, the Medical Officer to have
"power to debar such immigrant from landing, and the shipowner to
"be compelled to re-convey the emigrant to the port of embarkation.
"(h) Immigrants on arrival to give the information demanded
"from them, refusal, or the giving of false information, to be an
"offence under the Act, with penalty and discretionary power of
"repatriation at expense of Shipping Company.
"It seems not improbable that the publication of this Report, and the
"prospect of restrictive legislation, may cause those who intend to emigrate to
"anticipate the proposed restrictions, and thus lead to an immediate and
"immoderate increase of immigration.
"We are impressed with the necessity of avoiding, as far as possible, such a
"result of our labours ; and we would venture to submit the immediate adop"tion
of such of our recommendations as can be introduced without recourse to
"Parliament. At the same time we clearly recognise that the complete
"enforcement of the system we propose is only possible by legislation."
It will be noticed that among the recommendations are two Avhich are
intimately connected with the work of this Authority.
The first recommends that such Orders and Regulations should include
provision for medical examination of Alien Immigrants at the port of arrival.
When the epidemic of Cholera broke out at Hamburg in 1892, cases of
Cholera were detected on board ships arriving in London amongst immigrants
who had come from Hamburg.
In accordance with the Local Government Board Order all such vessels
were carefully inspected, and this system of inspection was continued until the
summer of 1895. All Jewish immigrants coming into the Port of London
were kept under control by the Officers of the Port Sanitary Authority.
They were first inspected at Gravesend; a notice was served on the master of
the vessel requiring him to keep them on board until they were liberated by
an Officer of this Authority.
By an arrangement made with the Committee of the Jewish Shelter, a
responsible official of that Committee visited the ship on arrival, and personally
conducted these immigrants to the Jewish Shelter. Thence they were
conducted to various addresses in London; the date of departure
from the shelter, together with the names and addresses of those leaving it,