(Printed for the use of the Colonial Office.)
CONFIDENTIAL.
Miscellaneous.
No. 60.
EMIGRATION FROM GREAT BRITAIN TO THE COLONIES.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
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ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
MEMORANDUM.
The continued and serious decrease in the Foreign Export Trade has undoubtedly led to the prevailing distress of the working classes, espe- cially in the urban districts, aggravated by the constant migration of labour from the country, caused by the existing agricultural depression.
It may be hoped that a revival of trade will soon alleviate the present suffering, but it seems idle to expect that it will remove permanently the causes which have produced the existing state of affairs, especially in view of the fact that the population of England and Scotland is increasing at the rate of 1,000 per diem.
The last Census Returns (1881) show that upwards of two-thirds of the population are now in the urban districts-212 to 100, a notable increase over 1871, when the proportions were 192 to 100. That this result arises from migration from country to town is proved by the relative percentage of increase :—
22
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11
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Town, increase 1881 over 1871, 1963 per cent. Country,
7.42 An increase in the export trade can scarcely be looked for in the face of the fact that Europe and the United States are not only yearly diminishing their demand for British manufactures, but also seriously invading British markets at home and abroad, the only hopeful sign being augmented trade with our own possessions.
Any permanent relief to the vast working population in the towns, by increasing exports to British Possessions, must necessarily be very gradual, and depend upon their progress and prosperity; which may, however, be largely pro- moted and accelerated by successful emigration of the surplus population of the United Kingdom. But it must be at once frankly stated that the class of mechanics and labourers who throng the cities cannot be prudently transferred in any great masses to the Colonies, where employment and subsistence must in the greater part be ob- tained from the soil.
Considerable relief would, however, be speedily felt in the towns if the steady current of uu- employed agricultural labour were arrested and its course diverted to the Colonies, not only diminishing the local competition at home, but transforming them into valuable customers for town labour..
(25 686-II & 9 1584)