CO129-590-11 Commission of Enquiry into irregularities in Immigration Departments 22-4-1941 - 19-12-1941 — Page 250

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"It has come to my notice that certain members of the staff have

been offering presents to senior officers. This practice must stop.

such presents will in future be considered in the nature of bribes and

any person found offering or accepting presents will be liable to

immediate dismissal.

I.0. 17.2.41"

No mercy is being shown to any member of the staff found engaging

in dishonest practices, and no stone is being left untunded in our efforts

to stamp out the evil.

Numerous cases have come to our attention of people who have been

swindled by persons not connected with the Immigration Office.

These

people have either been provided with forged permits (specimens produced)

or they have allowed themselves to be victimized by people who cheat them

of anything from fifty cents to ten dollars for entering their applica-

tions.

Every precaution was taken by the Immigration Officer to protect

the general public against swindlers and, with this end in view, notices

were sent round on February 17th warning the public against such persons.

(Reads):

"The public is hereby warned to be on the aert against so-called

agencies of the Immigration Office as it has been reported that many

people have been swindled. Persons who resort to "Agencies" other than those recognized by the Immigration Office and listed below do so at

their own risk; the Immigration Office will assume no responsibility

for the activities of these so-called agencies.

By order of the Immigration Officer,

A.1.0.

17.2.41".

In addition a black-list was prepared and publicly exhibited.

Generally speaking, the work was exceedingly onerous and, in all

the years of my long experience with newspapers, where we had our own

rushes, I have seen nothing so heavy or so sustained and I have certain-

ly never worked with a chief who threw himself heart and soul into his duties as did the Immigration Officer, who showed no regard whatever

to his health. He worked long hours and he often mentioned to me that

he had had little sleep. On one occasion, he told me that he had re-

mained in office the whole night. He often went without his meals,

So far as I know neither he is only food being a bar of chocolate.

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