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GERMAN IMMIGRATION TO THE AUSTRALIAN COLONIES.

(From the Melbourne Argus.) An interesting report upon German emigration considered in relation to the Australian colonies, has been addressed by the British Vice-consul at Dantzig, to Lord Carnarvon, who has, we believe, brought it under the notice of the Governments of these colonies. At a time when most of the antipodean group are making strenuous efforts to divert to thenshores a portion of the surplus labor of .Europe, and when even Victoria, if we may judge by recent Ministerial utterances, is beginning to evince a return to common-sense views upon the immigration question, this report deserves attentive consideration. Assuming that the continued development of the natural resources of Australia and the augmentation of her prosperity must depend to a great extent upon the increase of her population by immigration, Mr. Kruge, the Viceconsul referred to, points out that a clear indication of the correctness of this view is supplied by the efforts made by the London agents of the Governments of New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, and New Zealand, to induce the people of the United Kingdom to emigrate to these colonies. A close connection has always existed between the politics of Europe and German emigration. Ever since 1845 a steady stream of emigration has flowed in the direction of the United States ; but it is curious to observe how any event likely to precipitate Germany into war has invariably had the effect of nearly doubling for the time the number of those who are anxious to leave their native country in search of a peaceful home. Emigration has been smaller during the past few years than it has been for a long time past. This is due in part to the strong discourage- 1 ment exhibited by tho Imperial Government to the movement, and is in part owing to the natural check caused by the financial and commercial crisis in the United States. But signs of an increased tendency to emigration are again manifesting themselves strongly, and it may be instructive to briefly glance at a few of the causes which have prompted this feeling in the minds of the masses. An impression exists throughout Germany, amounting almost to a certainty, that France is only waiting a convenient opportunity to commence a war of revenge for lier-defeat in 1870. Preparations to repel the expected attack continue to be made, regardless of the strain upon the resources of the country. The last war, although fruitful in glorious political results for. Germany, was nevertheless the cause of much real misery in thousands of households, and has induced a widespread feeling that it is better to quit Fatherland before another struggle occurs. The energetic measures by which the Government have deemed it necessary to vindicate the superiority of the civil power over the assumed rights of the Church of Rome, have also produced a feeling of irritation' and discouragement in the minds of many of the Roman Catholic peasantry, and rendered them anxious to leave a country where, rightly or wrongly, they believe their religion attacked or endangered. The impetus given to German commerce and industry at the close of the last war is declining, and a period of general depression seems imminent. For these and other reasons, which it is heedless to enumerate, Mr. Kruge believes “ that there are at present again unquestionable signs that a very large emigrating element is smouldering in Germany, stimulated by political and economical embroilments, which will break forth as soon as sufficient hope and inducements offer themselves in transatlantic countries, in the eyes of the discontented and desponding Germans.” We must briefly refer to the reasons which induce the Vice-consul to assert that the Australian colonies never had so good an opportunity as the present of inducing an extensive German emigration to their shores. The United States, which has hitherto been the principal competitor for German labor, will most probably be out of the field for some years to come. Brazil has made great efforts to induce Germans to proceed there ; but the Imperial Government has always done its utmost to prevent emigration to that unhealthy country. Australia then may, without vanity, claim that she offers the greatest advantages to intending 1 emigrants. Some twenty years ago there was a considerable German emigration to these colonies ; but the long sea voy.

age, the expensive passage, andthe want of trustworthy information respecting tfie prospects of the new arrivals, combined with the attractions offered by America, tended to discourage the movement, .and it may be said to have virtually ceased, until a few years ago, Queensland .offered inducements which led to its partial revival on a small scale. IVIr. Kruge points out that an almost total ignorance prevails throughout Germany, even among the better educated classes, respecting the actual state of stability, advance, and prosperity.of Australia. “ The lower classes,” he remarks, t( seem to have some notion that Australia is a very good country, with a fine climate, and good wages, but that in order to get to any of the Australian ports it requires them to undertake a four months’ sea voyage, and that the expenses of living, &c., arejso high that people who emigrate to Australia are, in point of fact, no better off than those ' who stay in their native c untry.” Mr. ICruge, therefore, suggests the establishment of a wellorganised system for the purpose of bringing under the immediate notice of the German people information likely to be of service to intending emigrants, and he also advises that the colonies which desire to encourage German emigration should act jointly in any proceedings that may be resolved upon. As an indication of the classes to which German immigrants chiefly belong, we may mention that Prussian statistics, extending over the ten years from 1862 to 1871, show that the great majority comprise agricultural domestics, manufacturing workmen, artisans of all kinds, domestic servants, laborers, working farmers, and working men without any special calling. We have so often pointed out the absolute necessity of encouraging a suitable class of immigrants that it will be sufficient at present to mention one or two startling facts showing the extent to which America has benefited by immigration. Edward Young, in a special report lto the Government of the United States, estimates the value of every immigrant lauded in America at 800 dollars. Accepting this basis, the number of German immigrants who arrived in the States between 1845 and 1876 would represent a money value of £429,668,800, Ur. Engel, the director of the Bureau of Statistics at Berlin, estimates the loss in capital of' every German emigrant at 650 thalers, or £97 10s. Experience has always;proved that the Germans are a steady, sober, hard-working race, aud in every sense a most desirable class of colonists to encourage.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18780107.2.18

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5238, 7 January 1878, Page 3

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,134

GERMAN IMMIGRATION TO THE AUSTRALIAN COLONIES. New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5238, 7 January 1878, Page 3

GERMAN IMMIGRATION TO THE AUSTRALIAN COLONIES. New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5238, 7 January 1878, Page 3

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