第 37 节
作者:知恩报恩      更新:2021-02-20 16:17      字数:9322
  nds; will further tend to lessen the sense of distance。
  The constant travelling of the Colonists backwards and forwards to England makes it absurd to speak of the Colonies as if they were a foreign land。  They are simply pieces of Britain distributed about the world; enabling the Britisher to have access to the richest parts of the earth。
  Another objection which will be taken to this Scheme is that colonists already over sea will see with infinite alarm the prospect of the transfer of our waste labour to their country。  It is easy to understand how this misconception will arise; but there is not much danger of opposition on this score。  The working…men who rule the roost at Melbourne object to the introduction of fresh workmen into their labour market; for the same reason that the new Dockers' Union objects to the appearance of new hands at the dock gates; that is for fear the newcomers will enter into unfriendly competition with them。  But no Colony; not even the Protectionist and Trade Unionists who govern Victoria; could rationally object to the introduction of trained Colonists planted out upon the land。  They would see that these men would become a source of wealth; simply because they would at once become producers as well as consumers; and instead of cutting down wages they would tend directly to improve trade and so increase the employment of the workmen now in the Colony。  Emigration as hitherto conducted has been carried out on directly opposite principles to these。  Men and women have simply been shot down into countries without any regard to their possession of ability to earn a livelihood; and have consequently become an incubus upon the energies of the community; and a discredit; expense; and burden。  The result is that they gravitate to the towns and compete with the colonial workmen; and thereby drive down wages。  We shall avoid that mistake。  We need not wonder that Australians and other Colonists should object to their countries being converted into a sort of dumping ground; on which to deposit men and women totally unsuited for the new circumstances in which they find themselves。
  Moreover; looking at it from the aspect of the class itself; would such emigration be of any enduring value?  It is not merely more favourable circumstances that are required by these crowds; but those habits of industry; truthfulness; and self…restraint; which will enable them to profit by better conditions if they could only come to possess them。 According to the most reliable information there are already sadly too many of the same classes we want to help in countries supposed to be the paradise of the working…man。
  What could be done with a people whose first enquiry on reaching a foreign land would be for a whisky shop; and who were utterly ignorant of those forms of labour and habits of industry absolutely indispensable to the earning of a subsistence amid the hardships of an Emigrant's life?  Such would naturally shrink from the self…denial the new circumstances inevitably called for; and rather than suffer the inconveniences connected with a settler's life; would probably sink down into helpless despair; or settle in the slums of the first city they came to。
  These difficulties; in my estimation; bar the way to the emigration on any considerable scale of the 〃submerged tenth;〃 and yet I am strongly of opinion; with the majority of those who have thought and written on political economy; that emigration is the only remedy for this mighty evil。  Now; the Over…Sea Colony plan; I think; meets these difficulties:
  (1) In the preparation of the Colony for the people。  (2) In the preparation of the people for the Colony。  (3) In the arrangements that are rendered possible for the transport      of the people when prepared。
  It is proposed to secure a large tract of land in some country suitable to our purpose。  We have thought of South Africa; to begin with。 We are in no way pledged to this part of the world; or to it alone。 There is nothing to prevent our establishing similar settlements in Canada; Australia; or some other land。  British Columbia has been strongly urged upon our notice。  Indeed; it is certain if this Scheme proves the success we anticipate; the first Colony will be the forerunner of similar communities elsewhere。  Africa; however; presents to us great advantages for the moment。  There is any amount of land suitable for our purpose which can be obtained; we think; without difficulty。  The climate is healthy。  Labour is in great demand; so that if by any means work failed on the Colony; there would be abundant opportunities for securing good wages from the neighbouring Companies。
  SECTION 1。THE COLONY AND THE COLONISTS。
  Before any decision is arrived at; however; information will be obtained as to the position and character of the land; the accessibility of markets for commodities; communication with Europe; and other necessary particulars。
  The next business would be to obtain on grant; or otherwise; a sufficient tract of suitable country for the purpose of a Colony; on conditions that would meet its present and future character。
  After obtaining a title to the country; the next business will be to effect a settlement in it。  This; I suppose; will be accomplished by sending a competent body of men under skilled supervision to fix on a suitable location for the first settlement; erecting such buildings as would be required; enclosing and breaking up the land; putting in first crops; and so storing sufficient supplies of food for the future。
  Then a supply of Colonists would be sent out to join them; and from time to time other detachments; as the Colony was prepared to receive them。  Further locations could then be chosen; and more country broken up; and before a very long period has passed the Colony would be capable of receiving and absorbing a continuous stream of emigration of considerable proportions。
  The next work would be the establishment of a strong and efficient government; prepared to carry out and enforce the same laws and discipline to which the Colonists had been accustomed in England; together with such alterations and additions as the new circumstances would render necessary。
  The Colonists would become responsible for all that concerned their own support; that is to say; they would buy and sell; engage in trade; hire servants; and transact all the ordinary business affairs of every…day life。
  Our Headquarters in England would represent the Colony in this country on their behalf; and with money supplied by them; when once fairly established; would buy for their agents what they were at the outset unable to produce themselves; such as machinery and the like; also selling their produce to the best advantage。
  All land; timber; minerals; and the like; would be rented to the Colonists; all unearned increments; and improvements on the land; would be held on behalf of the entire community; and utilised for its general advantages; a certain percentage being set apart for the extension of its borders; and the continued transmission of Colonists from England in increasing numbers。
  Arrangements would be made for the temporary accommodation of new arrivals; Officers being maintained for the purpose of taking them in hand on landing and directing and controlling them generally。 So far as possible; they would be introduced to work without any waste of time; situations being ready for them to enter upon; and any way; their wants would be supplied till this was the case。
  There would be friends who would welcome and care for them; not merely on the principle of profit and loss; but on the ground of friendship and religion; many of whom the emigrants would probably have known before in the old country; together with all the social influences; restraints; and religious enjoyments to which the Colonists have been accustomed。  After dealing with the preparation of the Colony for the Colonists; we now come to the preparation of the COLONISTS FOR THE COLONY OVER…SEA。
  They would be prepared by an education in honesty; truth; and industry; without which we could not indulge in any hope of their succeeding。 While men and women would be received into the City Colony without character; none would be sent over the sea who had not been proved worthy of this trust。
  They would be inspired with an ambition to do well for themselves and their fellow Colonists。
  They would be instructed in all that concerned their future career。
  They would be taught those industries in which they would be most profitably employed。
  They would be inured to the hardships they would have to endure。
  They would be accustomed to the economies they would have to practise。
  They would be made acquainted with the comrades with whom they would  have to live and labour。
  They would be accustomed to the Government; Orders; and Regulations which they would have to obey。
  They would be educated; so far as the opportunity served; in those habits of patience; forbearance; and affection which would so largely tend to their own welfare; and to the successful carrying out of this part of our Scheme。
  TRANSPORT TO THE COLONY OVER…SEA。
  We now come to the question of transport。  This certainly has an element of