FEMALE EMIGRATION.

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1717, 23 August 1862, Page 9

FEMALE EMIGRATION.

To the Editor of the New-Zeaxaxdek. Sib, —I am sorry to find that an effort is now being made in England to promote the emigration of young unmarried females, of the educated and middling classes, in the vain hope of improving their position in life, and delivering them from the fearful competition which exists among all classes in our fatherland. I believe that none know better than I do the extent of that competition and the misery which exists consequent upon it, and none would rejoice more than I should, if any scheme upon a large scale could be devised in order to ameliorate the unhappy condition of thousands of England’s fair daughters; but, sir, I cannot for a moment entertain with pleasure the proposal of sending them here; and I do hope that the Superin tendonts to whom Mr. Walcott’s letter has been addressed, will pause before they give their sanction to the plan. You say that the demand for governesses, schoolmistresses and servants may be presumed to exist in this Province to a certain extent. The question is, how many? Clergymen in country districts may render good service by taking up this enquiry. Now, sir, let me endeavour to place before you my experience, and ask one or two plain questions. Are there not at this moment in New Zealand many well educated young women who cannot obtain situations as governesses? I believe there arc many. Ido not forget the trouble my wife and I had in obtaining situations for four of our daughters, who are moderately well educated, accomplished in cooking mutton chops (rare articles these in the bush), in the making of pastry and bread, knowing also something of the management of a household, and not disdainful of shirt buttons. I found the demand for such was very limited, and that their services would be but ill requited, and I was at last not sorry to accept situations for them at £2O and £3O per annum, not large salaries you must admit. It is true that the eldest has taken a second engagement at £4O, but then she has travelled 640 miles from her father’s home to obtain it. One has no less than eight children to teach, and in fact it appears to me that the people, however amiable and willing to do the best they can, cannot afford to pay governesses so well as they are paid in England, while every article of clothing is as dear again, and washing also; this latter is no trifle out of such salaries. In this district and in three others adjoining I believe there is not a single govornness or servant in any one family; indeed, 1 do not believe the settlers could afford to pay for cither. As regards schoolmistresses, I instance one case when the school was closed because the payments were so small. And my own son who has hcld'an appointment as schoolmaster, has the large number of 7 scholars, and his average receipts, 4s. per week, besides the Government pay. I do not think that servants will bo for years tolerated in the bush by the settlers generally. In the first place they cannot afford it, and if they could they would not. What is to be done with a servant in a slab hut or raupowhare? I know that my family, one and all say that they would must rather be without servants, although accustomed to them in England. Clergymen, I opine, can afford you very little information, for I have not seen one in the bush, although I have been here 20 months and only 70 miles from Auckland ! This, sir, is my experience, I doubt not many can endorse it. What prospect does it hold out for the classes of females, such as those whose claims upon our sympathy are under consideration? Now, sir, let us look at the matrimonial side of the subject. You say that the census shows that the males of the population between 21 and 55 are in proportion to the females of similar age as 6to 4 nearly. Is there any evidence to show that the majority of the males are unable though willing to obtain wives through the paucity of females? I trow not, very very many could not afford to keep wives, and if they could they would pause before they would introduce their brides to their present habitations. It is all very well to talk about “ roughing it;” but I maintain that no man worth having as a husband would wish his young wife to “ rough it” in the stern reality of the fact, as we colonists do; true there arc many brave women who have been delicately brought up who have followed the fallen fortunes of their husbands, and are roughing it, but that is no reason why a man should require his bride to do so. Again, how many of the young settlers are looking for wives amongst those whd are already here, or who may be expected to arrive here, through some emigration commission? I believe I may make a bold assertion and say not one. The brave hearts who come here to colonize in the hope of creating an estate have left behind them dear ones from whose sides they have torn themselves for a time, and are anxiously hoping for the day when they will be able to send for them.

Do not let me be set down as a “ grumbler.” lam here; had I known before I left England nil I know now, perhaps I should not have come, but here I am, making the best of it, living hard, working hard, but cheerfully, and happily believing that “ a good day is coming,” and that independence and comfort are looming in the distance. Let England do as she should do for her daughters, and not seek to exile them 1600 miles from home. My belief is that thousands and tens of thousands might bo employed at living wages, if Englishmen would set about it as they do about other matters; plans may be devised and carried out successfully at but little sacrifice of money and time. I am, See., A Settler. August 11, 1862.