Welsh-Patagonian Emigration
With regard to these settlers, I need not say that the answer of Mr. Chamberlain was not at all satisfactory to the delegation that waited upon him, nor indeed was it very satisfactory to Canadians generally. It must be remembered, however, that the deputation that waited upon Mr. Chamberlain in no way represented Canada, but was simply a committee of Welshmen who were desirous of relieving their fellow-countrymen from distress in Patagonia. It was neither an unnatural nor an unreasonable thing for the committee to make the request that they did of the Imperial government. Especially is this true when it is borne in mind that these Welsh residents in Patagonia, although they lived in South America from 15 to 35 years, had not renounced their allegiance to the British Crown and might have been regarded by the Imperial government as British subjects in distress in a foreign country, and, therefore, entitled to every reasonable consideration. I was informed that some time ago these same people made representation to Mr. Chamberlain asking to be transported to South Africa. Now this might have accounted in a measure for his reply when he stated that he misunderstood the object of the meeting of the deputation to himself. His reference, however, to the climate of Canada was a most uncalled for thing, and I think that it was quite proper for Canadians to resent it.

I certainly feel that if this government makes a grant to the committee appointed in this connection of $5 per head, which will amount to $2,500, in addition to the large expenditure which was incurred in sending Mr. Griffith and Mr. Reese--nearly as much more--to Patagonia to interview these people, that is all that could be expected of us. Moreover, I am convinced that just as many of as good a class of settlers could be got for an expenditure of probably less money.

On page 6 of Mr. Frank Pedley's report same Sessional Papers

The Welsh Colony in Patagonia
The department having reason to believe that the members of the Welsh colony, established in Patagonia many years ago, were not satisfied with conditons there, and were contemplating moving elsewhere--probably to Canada--appointed in the summer of 1901, W.J. Rees, of Swansea and W.L. Griffith, our agent at Cardiff, as delegates to visit this colony, with a view to ascertaining the nature and extent of the proposed movement.

The delegates visited the colony and found a general desire prevailing to seek a home where the surroundings were more congenial, and the means of obtaining a livelihood more certain. The representations made by Messrs, Rees and Griffith regarding Canada as a field for settlement were well received, as is evidenced by the arrival during the present year of over 200 persons from this colony, who are now settled in the neighbourhood of Saltcoats, north-west of Winnipeg.