PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 885
5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
2
Emigration from cities or manufacturing centres has the double evil of transferring the excessive competition to the Colonial towns, and of thereby stimulating local manufactures which might not be thought of in the absence of a surplus of skilled labour.
The class of emigrants who are best fitted for Colonial work is unquestionably, the agricultural; and it is in. this direction that it is believed systematic emigration may, at least in the first instance, be tried, with the greatest assurance of benefit to the Mother Country and the Colonies.
Emigration from the towns should only be encouraged on strong evidence that this descrip- tion of labour is desired by the Colony-und under very careful selection. This remark, how- ever, is not intended to apply to the emigration of poor children, many thousands of whom have already been successfully disposed of under the careful supervision of charitable associations, whose work might be advantageously extended by judi- cious aid.
The following outline of a plan for emigration was confidentially submitted by the undersigned on 11th April, 1883, and, subject to the foregoing remarks, might, it is believed, be made the groundwork for a system of united action by this country and her great Colonies.
Memorandum by Sir Alexander Galt, G.C.M.G. proposing a scheme of Colonization.
A systematic plan for the removal of the superabundant population of the United Kingdom to the Colonies seems to be yearly growing more necessary.
co-opera-
Any such plan ought to rest upon the tion of the Imperial and Colonial Governments, whereby it would lose its objectionable term emigration, and become colonization
It should be voluntary, self-sustaining; and where this last condition cannot wholly be fulfilled, the loss should be fairly apportioned between the United Kingdom and the Colony, the indirect benefit being mutual.
The general outline of the scheme now sug gested is based for illustration upon the assumption that the Colony is Canada.
The Poor Law to be amended, giving any rate- payer, or person now entitled to relief, the right to demand aid to emigrate by advances from the Union, to be repaid with interest. The movement would thus be strictly voluntary.
The Local Government Board to decide, with the concurrence of the Colony, upon the number and description of persons any Union should be permitted to emigrate in any one year; and in the early experimental years, it might be desirable to require each applicant to provide a certain portion of the expense.
No person habitually in receipt of relief to be
·
3
eligible, and all applicants to be subject to rejec- tion by the Agent of the Colony.
In the case of agriculturists or others who might decide to take up farms in Canada, the sums advanced to be secured upon the Free Grant Lands, payable by instalments with 6 per cent. interest, the usual Colonial rate. No lower rate of interest would be advisable, as it would dis- courage and perhaps paralyse all present individual efforts at colonizatian. This is now permitted
under the Canadian Land Act.
Mechanics, labourers, and domestic servants to become bound to repay the advances one or more years, also with interest. This is also provided for under the Canadian Emigration Acts.
In the case of those occupying land, the mortgage would be ample security for the advances, and the percentage of loss would be small.
With mechanics and labourers the risk of loss by evasion or inability to pay would be con- siderable. But the actual cost of removal to and settlement in the Colony would not be one-half as large as in the former class, their wage-earning power commencing on arrival.
Farm settlers to be established in the older provinces, and in the north-western territories would cost, including children, an average of £20
per head.
Mechanics and labourers would generally be absorbed in the older provinces, at an average cost of probably £8, or even less.
The Treasury to advance from the savings banks deposits, or otherwise, to the Unions, the sums required upon the security of a rate for ten years, equal to 4 per cent. upon the advance, then terminable. After the Colonization Fund, here- inafter described, became reproductive, the ad- vances would be made therefrom.
The total expenditure upon the removal and colonization of persons sent out by the Unions to be chargeable to one Consolidated Fund, including per cent. annually upon the Treasury advances, together with all expenses of administration in the United Kingdom and Canada.
3
This amount to be credited with—
First, the rate payable by the Union for ten years at 4 per cent.
Second, the interest as received upon the mortgages and debts of the settlers at 6 per
cent.
Third, the principal of the mortgages and debts as recovered.
At the end of ten years the colonization account to be made up, and all outstanding mort- gages and other personal securities valued, and the balance of loss-if any-ascertained, and there- upon divided in certain agreed proportions between the respective Treasuries of the United Kingdom and Canada.
A similar audit and adjustment to be made every subsequent year.
By a careful selection of Colonists, with the gain of 1 per cent. per annum for teu years from the Unions, and of 3 per cent. annually from the
I