lo XIII
Proposed Emigration of
Labourers from the East to the West Indies.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference -
C.O. 8
885
THE principle of the plan is that it shall be entirely conducted
by public officers, who shall both provide for the collection of the Emigrants, and also take up ships for their conveyance on the best terms that may be practicable, but not to exceed a certain max- imum rate per head.
The necessary measures will be:—
1. An amendment by the Governor-General and Council of India, to which it is understood that under proper securities they will be prepared to assent, of the Indian Acts by which Emigra- tion from India to all places except Mauritius is prohibited. It is proposed that Emigration should henceforward be lawful from such one or more of the Ports of Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay, as may have resident Emigration Agents at them sanctioned by the Governor-General, to such places as those Agents may by the Governor-General be authorized to act for. No Emigration to be lawful, except that effected by the regular Agents, nor except in ships hired by them.
It is expected that unless the demand prove larger than it is at present foreseen, the Emigration will in the first instance be confined to Calcutta and Madras, or possibly to Calcutta alone, so
as to save the expense of separate establishments.
2. The appointment by the Governor-General of an officer at each port, to be styled the Protector of Emigrants. The use of this officer will be to see that the regulations for this service are carried into effect. He will see that the ships selected by the Agent are of a description to warrant his granting his certificate, without which no passage-money will be payable. He will visit the ship im- mediately previous to its departure, and in the presence of the Agent he will ascertain that the Emigrants have embarked voluntarily, and that everything has been properly explained to them. No bounty will be payable in respect of any Emigrant arriving with- out the Protector's certificate.
3.. An officer will be appointed by the Government at each port of embarkation to act as Emigration Agent for the West India Colonies. He will be required to make every preparation for the reception of the Emigrants on their arrival from the interior. He will explain to the Emigrants the nature of their prospects in the West India Colonies, and on ascertaining that the parties are eligible, will provide them with a passage.
This officer will be remunerated by a fixed salary, the charge to be divided between the importing Colonies for which
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON)
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