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ions; and; I hope; offers of service from many valuable and experienced Colonists in every country。 In the due order of things the Colony Over…Sea is the last to be started。 Long before our first batch of Colonists is ready to cross the ocean I shall be in a position to correct and revise the proposals of this chapter by the best wisdom and matured experience of the practical men of every Colony in the Empire。
SECTION 2。UNIVERSAL EMIGRATION。
We have in our remarks on the Over…Sea Colony referred to the general concensus of opinion on the part of those who have studied the Social Question as to Emigration being the only remedy for the overcrowded population of this country; at the same time showing some of the difficulties which lie in the way of the adoption of the remedy; the dislike of the people to so great a change as is involved in going from one country to another; the cost of their transfer; and their general unfitness for an emigrant's life。 These difficulties; as I think we have seen; are fully met by the Over…Sea Colony Scheme。 But; apart from those who; driven by their abject poverty; will avail themselves of our Scheme; there are multitudes of people all over the country who would be likely to emigrate could they be assisted in so doing。 Those we propose to help in the following manner:
1。 By opening a Bureau in London; and appointing Officers whose business it will be to acquire every kind of information as to suitable countries; their adaptation to; and the openings they present for different trades and callings; the possibility of obtaining land and employment; the rates of remuneration; and the like。 These enquiries will include the cost of passage…money; railway fares; outfit; together with every kind of information required by an emigrant。
2。 From this Bureau any one may obtain all necessary information。
3。 Special terms will be arranged with steamships; railway companies; and land agents; of which emigrants using the Bureau will have the advantage。
4。 Introductions will be supplied; as far as possible; to agents and friends in the localities to which the emigrant may be proceeding。
5。 Intending emigrants; desirous of saving money; can deposit it through this Bureau in the Army Bank for that purpose。
6。 It is expected that government contractors and other employers of labour requiring Colonists of reliable character will apply to this Bureau for such; offering favourable terms with respect to passage…money; employment; and other advantages。
7。 No emigrant will be sent out in response to any application from abroad where the emigrant's expenses are defrayed; without references as to character; industry; and fitness。
This Bureau; we think; will be especially useful to women and young girls。 There must be a large number of such in this country living in semi…starvation; anyway; with very poor prospects; who would be very welcome abroad; the expense of whose transfer governments; and masters and mistresses alike would be very glad to defray; or assist in defraying; if they could only be assured on both sides of the beneficial character of the arrangements when made。
So widespread now are the operations of the Army; and so extensively will this Bureau multiply its agencies that it will speedily be able to make personal enquiries on both sides; that is in the interest alike of the emigrant and the intended employer in any part of the world。
SECTION 3。THE SALVATION SHIP。
When we have selected a party of emigrants whom we believe to be sufficiently prepared to settle on the land which has been got ready for them in the Colony over Sea; it will be no dismal expatriation which will await them。 No one who has ever been on the West Coast of Ireland when the emigrants were departing; and has heard the dismal wails which arise from those who are taking leave of each other for the last time on earth; can fail to sympathise with the horror excited in many minds by the very word emigration。 But when our party sets out; there will be no violent wrenching of home ties。 In our ship we shall export them allfather; mother; and children。 The individuals will be grouped in families; and the families will; on the Farm Colony; have been for some months past more or less near neighbours; meeting each other in the field; in the workshops; and in the Religious Services。 It will resemble nothing so much as the unmooring of a little piece of England; and towing it across the sea to find a safe anchorage in a sunnier clime。 The ship which takes out emigrants will bring back the produce of the farms; and constant travelling to and fro will lead more than ever to the feeling that we and our ocean…sundered brethren are members of one family。
No one who has ever crossed the ocean can have failed to be impressed with the mischief that comes to emigrants when they are on their way to their destination。 Many and many a girl has dated her downfall from the temptations which beset her while journeying to a land where she had hoped to find a happier future
〃Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do;〃 and he must have his hands full on board an emigrant ship。 Look into the steerage at any time; and you will find boredom inexpressible on every face。 The men have nothing to do; and an incident of no more importance than the appearance of a sail upon the distant horizon is an event which makes the whole ship talk。 I do not see why this should be so。 Of course; in the case of conveying passengers and freight; with the utmost possible expedition; for short distances; it would be idle to expect that either time or energies could be spared for the employment or instruction of the passengers。 But the case is different when; instead of going to America; the emigrant turns his face to South Africa or remote Australia。 Then; even with the fastest steamers; they must remain some weeks or months upon the high seas。 The result is that habits of idleness are contracted; bad acquaintances are formed; and very often the moral and religious work of a lifetime is undone。
To avoid these evil consequences; I think we should be compelled to have a ship of our own as soon as possible。 A sailing vessel might be found the best adapted for the work。 Leaving out the question of time; which would be of very secondary importance with us; the construction of a sailing ship would afford more space for the accommodation of emigrants and for industrial occupation; and would involve considerably less working expenses; besides costing very much less at the onset; even if we did not have one given to us; which I should think would be very probable。
All the emigrants would be under the charge of Army Officers; and instead of the voyage being demoralising; it would be made instructive and profitable。 From leaving London to landing at their destination; every colonist would be under watchful oversight; could receive instruction in those particulars where they were still needing it; and be subjected to influences that would be beneficial everyway。
Then we have seen that one of the great difficulties in the direction of emigration is the