AN APPEAL FOR POOR HIGLANDERS.

Evening Star, Issue 3638, 20 October 1874, Page 3

AN APPEAL FOR POOR HIGLANDERS.

1 Woodlands Terrace, 29th June. Sir, — I have been asked by Mr Ross, ef Plockton, to assist me iu'aiding some of the poorer Highlanders of the West Coast to emigrate to .New Zealand. Although receiving free passages from the Government of that Colony, such is the poverty of these people that they are unable to provide themselves with the clothing necessary for the voyage, and the charitable work which Mr Ross has undertaken is to assist in procuring a small “ kit ” for each family. When he first wrote me, I felt disinclined to aid him, both on sentimental and economical grounds. I did not like to assist in further depopulating our Highland*, for I hate as much as anyone the idea of sending away the old race from their own romantic land. I also objected to the scheme for reasons of social economy. It naturally stiikea one as anomalous to be transporting able-bodied men from the north all the way to New Zealand, when there is such a demand for labor in the south. Further inquiry and consideration, however, lead to another conclusioh. Patriotic sentiment may he all very well, but it' weighs very lightly against the spectacle of actual misery. It cannot be right to keep men starving at Home simply because they speak Gaelic and have good Celtic blood in them. Again, I believe this emigration to be as wise economically for this country as it is merciful to the individuals. These men are really not fitted to get on in the' south. They have been trained as fishermen or shepherds, and would make very useless navvies or ploughmen. _ In order to succeed in the h)w country, the Highlander must be “brought pat” when he is comparatively young, or else he is pretty sure to degenerate, morally and physically, and in the long run often sinks into the pauper-fufnlshing stratum of society in our great cities. On other hand, he is admirably suited for Colonial life, as the successful career of those who have emigrated to New Zealand under similar circumstances abundantly testifies. I enclose a copy of a recent letter from Mr Ross in reply to some inquiries I made respecting the numbers, character, &0., of those who propose to emigrate. I have only to add that I will gladly be the means of forwarding to him whatever sums your readers may feel inclined to contribute towards this object,—l am, &c.. Donald Macleod. Plockton, Strome Ferry, 24th June, 1874. Rev. and my dear Sir,—J am very much obliged for your kind note of the 22nd. 1. 150 emigrants go by the first chance. 2. From Ll6O to L2OO is needed to help about eighty souls, more or less'. 3. The needy ones are. from Applecioss, Shieldaig, Plockton (Loehalsh), Loch. Carrpn, Aultbea, and Portree, Skye. 4. The present circumstances-of thi ■ emigrants requiring aid are such that without it they Uarmot avail themselves of the free passages which arc in their offer for this month only. Some of them are men who were shepherds, but had to make way for deer forests, and have been struggling to bring up numerous families on daily labor, poorly paid. Others were crofters, but lost their lands from various causes over which their conduct had no control. Others are fishermen, and so on ; but all are men of excellent character, to my certain knowledge, and there is not a “ loafer ” in the whole number. The ministers of their parishes give them first-class testimonials, and so do most respectable inhabitants—magistrates, farmers, and others. They have, in fact, no fault but thmr poverty. I am, my dear sir, yours faithfUfe T? T\ Tl/T 1 ■, p - C * KOSS - The Rev. D, Macleod.