PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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mmimmimC.O. 885
24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- | COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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building or allied trades?—I was willing to take any job out there if there had been
one.
"Clerks, shop assistants, and others in search of office work, &c., are strongly "advised not to emigrate unless they can count before-hand on a good chance of "immediate employment. Persons with some capital, and not burdened by
families-
Were you burdened by families?—No.
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“—having many members unable to work, may find good openings even in the towns, but as a rule there is more likelihood of success in agricultural or pastoral enterprise." If you had read that would it have altered your intention of going to the Argentine?After reading the paragraph that work would be found, if not in your own profession in something else, it was sufficient.
Just listen. According to you, you did not read the paragraph which have been pointing out?—I did not.
Supposing you had read that when reading through this paragraph, would that have altered your intention of going to the Argentine-I do not think it would.
Did you notice Mr. Uriburu's signature at the bottom of that? Argentine Consul-General ?—Yes.
Did that have some effect on your mind?—Yes.
Re-examined by Mr. CoмYNs Carr.
He is the
Did you notice the passage on page 10 headed State Labour Bureau "?-Yes,
I read that.
passage
which my
Can tell me how you came to read that and not the other
you friend thinks is contradictory?—This is what caught my eye. I was looking through it hurriedly.
Did you have the other documents?—Yes.
Did you have the yellow one?—Yes.
Did you notice four statements at the bottom ?--Yes.
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Of which the third is this: Free advice regarding employment. Work found
" for all by the State Labour Bureau "?—Yes.
Did that catch your eye?--Yes.
You were asked about your business. As a matter of fact you told my friend you went out because you thought you would do better. What income were you making when you were in London ?-From £3 to £3 10s. a week.
(The witness withdrew.)
Mr. SIDNEY George Parsons, Sworn.
Examined by Mr. COMYNS CARR.
Do you live at 101, Ardgowan Road, Catford ?—Yes.
Are you a telegraphic engineer, or telegraphic clerk ?-Both.
Previous to July of last year where had you been employed?-In Persia.
Did you see an advertisement with the name of Mr. Hetherington attached to
it? Yes, in the "Daily Mail."
You think it was the "Daily Mail"?—I am practically certain, because at that
??
time we were having the "Mail delivered at home every morning.
My friend disputes it having appeared in the " Daily Mail." We have not been able to find a copy of it.We also had the " News of the World" delivered on Sunday mornings.
Will you look at the "News of the World " and tell me whether it was an advertisement like that (same handed)?—It was an advertisement very similar.
In consequence of that did you write to the address given ?—Yes.
Did you receive in reply to your letter a bundle of pamphlets?—Yes.
Will you look through those and tell me which, if any, of those you received?—-
I received this one. (Indicating white circular.)
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Did you receive the one headed Cheap Passages to the Argentine "?—Yes, and the one with the picture.
Is that all? No, there was another one with a map.
Is that the one (document handed) ?—Yes, it was similar to this.
I do not think I need read anything from that. It gives similar information
only in greater detail. Did you study those pamphlets?—Yes, and also the map.
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Will you take the one headed," Cheap Passages to the Argentine." Did you notice the four statements tabulated at the bottom of that: " The Argentine Govern- ment provide all emigrants with (1) Five days free board and lodging at Buenos Aires. (2) Free medical attendance in the event of sickness. (3) Free advice regarding employment. Work found for all by the State Labour Bureau"?—Yes.
Did you read that statement?--Yes.
Having read those did you call upon Mr. Hetherington at his office ?—Yes. Did you speak of these to Mr: Hetherington himself!-Yes.
What did you say to him?-I enquired for particulars regarding this cheap rate to the Argentine, and also enquired of him for information concerning any telegraphic construction which might be going on out there. Did you mention to him that you were engaged in that particular employment? Yes.
What did he say?-He referred to the map on the back of the large pamphlet, and on the back it shows railways and telegraphs under construction, and also railways and telegraphs which are at present working.
Did he say anything with regard to the prospect of your getting employment ?— He told me that I need have no fear about going.
Will you try and give his exact words as far as you remember them ?--I cannot repeat the exact words he said.
Did he say anything more than what you have told us already? Did you ask him what the Argentine Government would do for you?-He said that the Argentine authorities would find employment for us.
Can you give us the date of that occasion-The first occasion I called in the Strand was about the beginning of July, and I was accompanied by my brother.
Has your brother gone abroad?—Yes, he has gone away.
I shall not be able to call him. Did you pay anything or book a ticket on that occasion ?-The first time, no.
Some time afterwards did you call again?--Yes.
Do you remember the date of that?-I think about the 11th September. Did you then take a ticket?-I paid £1 deposit.
Then did you call again on the 16th, two days before the ship sailed, to pay the balance?—Yes.
When you paid the balance did you see Hetherington, or his assistant?--His assistant.
Did the assistant show you any other document beyond what you have told us was sent by post ?-He showed me a letter supposed to have been written by a man who had previously gone to the Argentine, and had returned to England, and who was returning back again to the Argentine by the same boat as I was going by myself.
Do you remember the name of the alleged signatory of that letter?-Jocelyn. I call for the copy letter by " Jocelyn."
Mr. RAEBURN:
We never had it.
The CLERK : How do you spell it ?--I do not know how you spell it.
Mr. RAEBURN: I have this letter. This is written from Stoke Newington on the 4th September: "Dear Sirs, I expect to be down to your office at the end of the "week to complete my arrangements re passage Zeelandia,' as I think she is as good as any boat in the South American service. Now, perhaps, you would like to know some of my experience during my two years' residence in the Argentine. About two years ago last August, I booked my passage on the Caesar' for Buenos Ayres. We had a very fair passage out, and we arrived at Buenos Ayres 23 days after we left England. After two or three days stay I got a job to go to Patagonia for the Swift Beef Company to go to one of their factories which they have down the coast to start at 200 pesas per month, or about £16 10s., which, after a while, was increased to £20. A word about the country down in Patagonia. The whole 'country is given up to sheep farming. It is estimated there are between 40 and 50 "million sheep in Patagonia alone, some of the sheep stations comprising upwards of 500 or 600 square miles, which are fenced. What far more surprised me was, &c.' (Learned counsel read the letter.)
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Mr. COMYNS CARR:
Is that the letter which he showed you (letter handed) ?—
I cannot say whether that was the exact letter I read, because I did not take particular
notice of it at the time.
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Was that the name?-Yes, Jocelyn, was the name.
Did you meet Mr. Jocelyn on the "Zeelandia "?--Yes.
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