Auscellaneous
Av X X
( - )
In considering the feasibility of a scheme for promoting female emigration, the
principal points to be weighed are:--
Ist. The demand for female emigrants in the colonies.
2nd. The class who would be most acceptable.
3rd. The care to be exercised in their selection in this country.
4th. The means of conveyance to the colonies.
5th. The arrangements for their protection on arrival.
First. The demand for female emigrants may be assumed to exist chiefly in the Australian colonies. According to the latest returns, the male and female population of each of the Australian colonies was as follows:-
Colony.
New South Sydney District Wales. 1 Port Phillip do.
Van Diemen's Land
South Australia
Western Australia
New Zealand,
Males. Females.
Ricem of Males.
92,389 62,145 30,244 20,184 12,695 7,489 47,813 22,313 25,500 21,527 17,139 4,388 2,818 1,804 1,014 4,996 3,835 1,161
Date of Return.
Census of 1846...
Dec. 31, 1847.
Blue Book,
1848.
The number of unmarried male and female emigrants sent to Sydney, Port Phillip, and South Australia since 1st January, 1848, has been to
Sydney Port Phillip
South Australia
Maler.
2,182
2,160
1,692
Females,
3,618
3,094
2,191
It will be seen from these returns that, both in New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land, there now exists a considerable excess of males over females. A similar disproportion exists in Western Australia, and to a less extent in South Australia and New Zealand. But it is not likely that the three last colonies will absorb any considerable number of female emigrants at present. The outlet for this class of emigrants must be sought principally in New South Wales or Van Diemen's Land. In regard, however, to New South Wales, it is to be observed, that the disproportion between the sexes is continually and rapidly decreasing. In 1836, the number of males and females in the colony was, males, 55,539; females, 21,557, being in the proportion of 5 to 2. In 1841 the numbers were, males, 87,298; females, 43,558; being in the pro- portion of 4 to 2. In 1846 the numbers were, males, 112,573; females, 74,840; being in the proportion of 3 to 2. And a further analysis of the last census (that for 1846) will show more clearly both the cause of the existing disproportion and the rate at which it may be expected to right itself. Thus, in the population rader 21..401 under 21 years of age, the number of males and females is very nearly equal; between 21 and 45 the proportion of males to females is not quite 2 to 1; and among those upwards of 45 not quite 3 to 1. The actual numbers are given in the margin. It is evident, therefore, that in the course of a very few years, as the old convict population dies off (and, excepting in 1849, no additions have been made to it by transportation for several years past), the disproportion of the sexes will disappear even without any special measures for that object.
Second. The class of females who would be most acceptable is stated, in the Reports from both districts of New South Wales and from South Australia (from which places alone returns of this kind are received), to be "farm servants and female domestic servants of every description." In the Sydney district of New South Wales, indeed, these classes are the only female emigrants who are said to be wanted. The Irish orphan girls sent out from the workhouses as domestic servants, have, in every case, obtained situations with great facility, in no case having remained unengaged beyond a few days. And the surgeon of one of the vessels which took out some of these orphans to Adelaide, wrote home on the 29th of November, 1848, to the effect, that if there had been 200 more they would have obtained situations with perfect ease. On the other hand, the surgeon of the "Florentia," Mr. Parr, on the 9th of July last, wrote in the following terms respecting the female emigrants of that ship:"I must allude very strongly," (he
Mairs Femaler
15.50, 609
#5 and up 13.491
warda.
19.5 30,413
4,546
119,573 74,240
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O-885
2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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