CO885-(1-2) — Page 296

Memorandum of Plan of Emigration from the East to the

West Indies.

1. EMIGRATION to be permitted from the ports of Cal- cutta, Madras, and Bombay, to such Colonies as may from time to time make provision for the purpose, but to be restricted to the period between the 1st October and the 1st March in each This restriction is expedient in order to avoid the winter months in passing the Cape of Good Hope, and to ensure the most favourable voyage.

year.

2. One Agent at each port to act on behalf of the Colonies, and to despatch ships to them respectively in proportion to the number of Emigrants required.

3. These agents to be public officers, and to be appointed specially for this service, the requisite salaries being provided by the Colonies in proportion to the number of Emigrants sent to each.

4. The Emigrants to be conveyed according to the terms of the Passengers' Act. The surgeon of each ship so employed to be-after approval by the Governors of the respective Presi- dencies-invested with authority as Government Inspector during the voyage.

5. With regard to the proportion of females, see Lord Stanley's despatch to the Governor of Mauritius, dated 21st October, 1843, in blue book, "Emigration-West Indies and Mauritius." The lowest proportion to be 10 females for every 100 males; and Lord Stanfey's suggestions contained in the fourth paragraph at page 214 to be adopted.

The

6. It will be the duty of the agents to collect and inspect the Emigrants-to make them acquainted with their prospects in the West Indies, so that when they arrive there they will not be dis- appointed, but become contented and useful labourers. agents to be furnished by the Secretary of State for the Colonies with full information relative to their circumstances, and to be instructed annually upon the requisition of the respective Colonies, to prepare and forward at the proper season a definite number for each. For this purpose they will charter, by public tender, suit- able ships, in conformity to the Passengers Act, at a rate per Emigrant to be paid in the Colony, on the number that may be landed there. The maximum rate to be fixed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and to be exclusive of the unavoidable expenses of collecting the Emigrants and supporting them at the ports of embarkation, for which accounts shall be rendered to the respective Colonies,—it being understood that the same shall not per Emigrant; and exclusive also of any advance by way of gratuity that may be deemed expedient to the Emi- grants before embarkation, which advance shall not exceed fifteen rupees.

exceed

7. Every Emigrant to be assured of a free passage back to the same port in India at which he may embark at any time within twelve months after the expiration of a service of five

years.

5

8. The Agent-General of Immigrants in each Colony to make due preparation for the advantageous settlement of the labourers in considerable groups, affording them advice and protection, without, however, exercising any controul over their choice of employment.

9. Each Colony to provide a public Interpreter, and every fifty labourers to be accompanied by a Sirdar, who should, if possible, be competent to interpret.

10. Arrangements to be made with the Colonial Bank for receiving deposits at their branches in Jamaica, Guiana, Trinidad, and the other Colonies, for remittance to India on behalf of the Emigrants.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference -

LLC.O.

885

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