UNEMPLOYED AND IMMIGRATION.
'/v the Mtior uf the Emimg Star, Srn, —In perusing your leader of last even, iug I eoine to tlie conclusion that your remarks were to a certain extent a reply to my Jotter published in your columns of the previous issue. On the strength of this opinion I beg leave to say a few more words upon the subject. I agree with you in saying that the many theories put forward in this matter are not sound ; but still it cannot bo denied that a great deal of truth may be stated by which all parties may derive some Ijttle profit. In your article you admit that nothiiig can be iiiore B detrimental to prosperity than low wages.” Is not your lino of argument of a nature calculated to foster a spirit productive of such a result. 1 do not decry immigration upon the grounds of the country bein; over populated. To do so would indeed be silly and untruthful. I merely contend that under existing circumstances it is not conducive to the prosperity of the country. That we are not prepared to receive immigrants is obvious, I think even to you. I reiterate my statement that there are men here willing to toil if they can get an opportunity; and it is an injustice to them to increase their difficulties by swelling their ranks. If our rulers will frame a Land Bill, by virtue of which farms may be obtained on easy terms, then by all moans let us have immigration. The country would then got settled upon, conferring
at th«Msamu tiiuc upon the new arrival the boon'he' viz., of becoming his own liecilpi**lle hope and -stimulant of emigratidh hr Great Britain and Ireland. At ■present the rata of wages for agricultural servants is from L4O to LSO per annum. •Sow can you tell me how much lower the scale requires to be to enable the farmers or squatters to employ his capital productively. If you pome dowu to L3O or any sum approximatin'' thereto, the remuneration will come too near the price of what labor fetches in the home market for people to come out here providing they knew the truth. Your argument might safely, resolve into this, that the rate of wages' ought to verge closely towards the , sum .required to procure food, shelter, and clothing. If this is the only inducement or encourageraeub we can otter to - immigrants, wc.-imjst fail to secure aNhare of -thcutout hearts'-and wiUW pastures now tjrc Continent. A sober and industrious..man will receive in exchange for- his labor in the old country what will procure him the necessaries of life. If, therefore, we desire him to break off all attachments of home and kindred to brave the perils and discomforts -of a long sea voyage, it is surely not unreasonable on his part to expect that the rate of wages or the facilities afforded him of taking up a piece of land will be sufficient to condensate him for the sacrifice -he has qjade. He ought jto be treated as >u ‘‘ imported article,” and get value aecmflingly. v \ J Chafes Mathews expressed an opinion (sliortlv after hjg arrival in Melbourne) that he sideration hs a box of inatcliesyn- a pot cf blacking, both of which arc a hundred and fifty per cent, dearer there than in the old country.'' I don’t think it absurd to draw a parallel between his expectations —-which werevmly reasonable -and those of the immigrant. \The dfßtrbnce in the oases is the duetafyitv urging indisputable cl&iiji to ». shVe jp inie oonsidera'tion and increased value bestowed upon a tin of Yarmouth bloaters or a French toy—■ and the other is labor. lam,jfcc.,,- . ■ Cockatoo, alias Ka-Ka.
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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2220, 18 June 1870, Page 2
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620UNEMPLOYED AND IMMIGRATION. Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2220, 18 June 1870, Page 2
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