The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-05 00:00:00

in no instance had the Emigration Board propounded
any scheme of sound emigration, though he admitted
they had been most useful in preventing unsound emi-
gration. In face, the board was nothing more • than a
?tore referee of the Colonial offiee, and might as well
have its offices at the Colonial-office as in Parle-street.
u
• -laolfe, of Canada, who had paid much ,attention to
‘"0 subject of emigratien, had divided the sub' into
three putts--the way in which emigrants should be ie-
Ylted to leave this country ; their treatment during their
Voyage ; and the manner in which they should be re-
ceived when they reached their destination ;—all of
Which were were most important questions. In his (Mr. V.
""th s) opinion, the present system was deficientin
each of these points. First, no proper information was
spread throughout the country with respect to emigra-
tion,
so that those desirous of being informed on the
Subject had no proper means of obtaining it. It was all
very
re well to say that the Colonial-office was ready to
Y to all letters which were received by that depart-
- nt requesting information, but they ought to freely
whole gate information on the subject throughout the
might"e eountry, so that parties desirous of emigrating
• know where to seek it. Private companies wish-
tinhg t 0 Promote emigration, appointed agents in all
likely wn, in
the localities from which parties were
toecuierate, to afford information. This
as what the Government was deficient in. These
companies
not only afforded the utmost information, but
pot forward, in addition, the most delusive statements,
the the purpose of tempting people to emigrate under
ih tri auspices; side by side with which the Government
eo°tl taws correct information, so that persons might
be deceived. In fact, there was no reason why an
gagent should not make a circuit through the country for
e Purpose of ascertaining the parties desirous of eini-
a:cting, and for the purpose of affording them ample
correct information ; in addition to whom, he saw
ti()),rean why they should not appoint agencies in all
mat principal towns, for the purpose of dispensing infor-
i;incin, which would be attended with but little expense.
rd Sydenham saw the necessity of appointing Go-
iinetanent agents, as he was of opinion that a G overn-
int agent ought to accompany every emigrant ship
Gng to the north of America, and the present Earl
tisreY was in favour of erecting villages in Canada for
Ce use of
emigrants ; but he revoked his plan, be cause
outf°und that no private c sropany felt disposed to carry
11;nuch a plan. It appeared from the statement of Mr.
the ", that German emigrants were better eared for than
dile of this country, as they were plentifully provided
juireing their voyage with animal food, bread, beer, lime
witiees,' and other necessaries during their voyages,
Publish "" were generally longer than those per-
Pned by British vessels. Mr. Mills, who had
tell a pamphlet on " Colonization," and who was
Canada ecnversant with the subject, as he went out to
widih, with some of his father's labourers from War-
agenstulre, pointed out the great advantage of having
thii *s• There were but ten agents at the outports of
lee °ll.ntry and Ireland. By a return it appeared that
last 'mirated from Southampton, and 542 from Hull,
fro `. • LartsYear but there was no agent at either of these
se
year 1,056 emigrated from Galway, 1,108
form Vtr terford, and 814 from Newcross, near Water-
lor
to Cin
Yet there was no agent at either of them. Owing
the want of agents, prosecutions for infractions of the
Stz Passenger laws were continually taking place.
causes had recently occurred in Canada, and 13 in
W Brunswick.M Millsstated that more than
f
o
u
r
-
fi
f
r.
bar ths of the emigrants of this country em-
ked at Liverpool, yet that town had but one
tagent, who,
even with the aid of a clerk, could
spawned
,InY possibility, transact the business that was
tzeeneet to him in a proper manner, as it was necessary
attend all the ships that left, and frequently a great
flat:ober left in one morning. Then a careful superin-
endence during the voyage could not fail to conduce to the
Lc:Wort of the emigrants, and save expense, by prevent-
thge those infractions to which he had referred. In 1841
ri,,e Noble Lord at the head of the Govern-
ment spoke favourably of affording the utmost
Jellifies and comforts to the emigrants ; he
intusted the Noble Lord would adhere to those opinions
h- 1847. The superintendence ought to be performed
a7_ Medical officers, who were in the habit of receiving
about 2001. a year for the discharge of duties of a
similar nature. The worst part was the reception of
h 0 emigrants when they arrived at their destination. In
this respect the arrangements of the Government were
Most deficient. It was acknowledged in Australia that
the best mode of dealing with the emigrants on their
arrival was to disperse them ; and what was wanted was
sofas person to point out to them what was best to be
done, and where it was likely that they would find em-
ployment, and consequently, a subsistence. The want of
such an agent entailed much misery on emigrants as
they arrived in strange land, almost ignorant of its cus-
toms, and as to the best way to proceed to turn their
abour or their capital to the best advantage. Great
advantages would accrue by the establishment of such
agents in. both Australia and Canada. Great expense
would not be thus entailed upon the country by the adop-
tion of such a plan, as few persons might perform very
important offices for a large number. Certainly the
three points he had raised were well worthy the most
serious consideration of the Emigration Board.
The next subject was one of considerable delicacy,
but it was a most important one ; he
meant female emigration. It would be found that the
frreatest disparity prevailed in the number of the sexes
in many of our colonies. In Van Diemen's Land there
Were 40,788 males, and but 18,114 females ; and many
°1 the other colonies presented similar results. The
len. Member then read several long extracts to show
lthe very great deficiency of female immigrants in the
colonies. Mrs. Chishelme, a lady of great experience
Upon these Points, stated in her evidence that a good
Way to remedy this defect would be the sending of a
number of young women, under proper guardianship.
He did not see why Government should not appoint a
commission to control emigration ; they were appointing
commissions upon every other subject—upon the poor-
laws and upon railways. He did not think that it should
be left under the entire control of the emigration beard.
There was nothing in the scheme which he proposed
Which, in his opinion, could meet with objections from
the Chancellor of the Exchequer. He did not ask for
Millions—he only sought a few thousand pounds in
order to establish a more complete and extended system
of emigration. He desired that there should be some
method which would ensure to the emigrant the ad-
vantage of good advice and guidance as to where he
should settle, and how devote his labour.
Mr. MACKINNON seconded the resolution, in order to be
enabled to say a few words to the House. Any person who
eoenected himself with a colonial board, became immediately
Impressed with the idea that emigration was a
sovereign panacea for all evils. He objected to
interference by the Government respecting this question.
eould not see any advantage which would arise from the
°tune of the Right Hon. Gentleman. Certainly, if at a small
ilPense of 2,0001. or 3,0001., his suggestion could be carried
t°2o effect, it would be of utility to attempt it, but if any greater
C,me were required, he thought that the less of the public money
h was expended the better ; and he thought it would be
better that any advance should not be made to encourage emi-
ration.
He thanked the House for its attention to him while
had addressed it, and although he did not agree with the
Principle of the motion he should second it.—(Laughter. )
ti Air, LEFROY would not detain the House any length of
He, but he was anxious to say a few words upon this subject.
me thought it desirable that while Ireland was suffering as it
reline was from want of employment, any measure which would
tdrje it from its over-population would be of benefit. Ile
belt tied the principle of the Honourable Member's proposi-
hat ?' encouraging voluntary emigration, and he thought
that e would be one of the most productive measures
eoes ould be adopted by the Government. The emigration, if
eeliertgedt would not be felt as a banishment, but rather as a
Ho IV a benefit. He trusted that if the resolutions of the
reeani "lbw did not receive any material support, the state-
eau thue athich he had accompanied it, would go forth to, and
so th_
.ention of her Majesty's Government to, the subject.
eye: lf not immediately adopted, some measures might be
to a itlalla taken to assist the starving population to emigrate
eit )sally
wheregood treatment and employment would be se-
-red
m.
tne
14e,,ri) 1(E RR said that he felt it necessary to thank the Hon.
his owe'', for proposing these resolutions to the House.; for, in
e rit"on they were admirably calculated for the relief of the
'Tent Want' of employment arising from over-population.
IrejaCQ/ernment were at present employing 668,000 men in
eounntsd at an enormous expense, and all that burden on the
1.4 might be obviated by the adoptien of some such mea-
Me" Lhose proposed by the Hon. Member.
Who f 3, "AWES could assure the Right lion. Gentleman
d
of e o;Oiught forward this motion, that he had not one wohr
fo4re,--P4lt te uree against the way in which he had brt?ug
dt
rttbe-ard• taught, however, that his Right Hon. Itrien
under-estimated the exertions of the Board of Emigra..-
gratie 11l duties were rather to assist than to stimulate emt-
detie?;' and he should be enabled to show the House that the
zealoti-s•imlosed on that board had been. performed ably and
to Y the gentlemen composing it. He would venture
poe.l that, even if Parliament were to grant the vote pro-
apply the Hon. Member, it would be almost impossible to
elititheti•eicithstuhcecessfully unless it was employed on the payment
it , Passages of the emigrants, and that was a mode of using
Right Hon. Gentleman would hardly recommend.
ferenell.ecase would perhaps consider for a moment with re-
pents ,to what the Board had done, the number of emi-
sehdie it had been the means of quietly and successfully
yst mg it
of the country. There was such a
era
eriTharkst•ol,
active superintendence at the port a
to be and of landing, that the emigrant might be said
Dori under a total superintendence during his whole voyage.
AuitriS„the last ten yeara, the number of emigrants sent to
f
the ofla• amounted to 'lO,OOO, sent under the management o
Maki 2t1,000 28,000 under its immediate superintendence ;
taiit...g a total of 48,000 during the last ten years. The more
r'l the
hoard of the different vessels had also been decreased
eent i
. • e amount of 5 per cent. in the first ships, to a half per
of coln. the latest ships. He would also refer to the emigration
caerieodhes to the West Indies, which had been most actively
the fir "t and the mortality was considerably decreasing in
tope, 3,toinstance. His Right Hon. Friend had hardly, there-
sideri_u ne justice to the labours of the commissioners, con-
L ug the large returns which he had jest given to the House.
et hi, ,
voleat *" also state to the House the enormous extent. of
the ,axY emigration, which had proceeded during
eo_lnist ten years under the superintendence of the
frowm sioners alone. The account of voluntary emigrants,
er.loremiloeuienaurtnlper7otfostsdhe,3y9e2arpleBr4so6disn,clusive, amounted to the
of whom 700,000 had
644 to America alone. Now he would venture to say there
tNit,rswas so large a mass of people taken out of this country,
superintendence,
inconvenience and expense, under a system of
ysletz as those had been under the voluntary
An Hon
str . Meeteea here moved that the House be counted.
Nrty laatißers were then ordered to withdraw, but there being
M.
_embers pressnt, the House resumed.
• HAWES. in continuation of his address, read extracts
441nanseveral returns of the Colonial-office, showing the great
regar lager of the voluntary system of emigration. With
1:11elle the proceedines of the Emigration Beard
believed they had done the best in their power to make the
Zeete under their control as efficient as possible, and to give the
11/2_lt,,a, protection to those intending to emigrate. The Hon.
press
tr made his motion, it would appear, in reference to the
sive'e_ emergency, and in order to ease it by a more eaten-
system of emigration. On that head he (Mr. Hawes)
crease the him, that every endeavour would be made to in•
there e stream of voluntary emigration, and to effect that,
would be greater efficiency given to the agency at Liver-
of
00l and other ports Respectin,, any comprehensive scheme
brought forward prareeetpemorri.egdrattinnt the Government, had no doubt, would be
give every consideration to any that might be
rward which appeared of a practical and useful nutcha-
whatever was done for the advancement of emigre.