554 PROSPECTS OF INDUSTRY 



abandoned, because private capital will not submit to this delay, and 

 probable prospective loss. 



In considering waste lands, therefore, as being beneficial agents in 

 reference to our poor, something more should be taken into account 

 than the mere existence of wastes, and their capability of being cul- 

 tivated; and this brings us to " Home Colonization " and *' Emi- 

 gration." 



Home Colonization -or the locating a body of labourers on some 

 particular district, and there converting them into small farmers: If 

 the speculation should answer, if the promoters of it should continue 

 to watch carefully over the interests of their colonists, if enlightened 

 and generous rules are laid down for the internal government of these 

 colonies, they may succeed, but not unless. The scheme yoes too 

 far ; it changes the character of the labourer it makes him a small 

 farmer without capital, and thus leaves him exposed to ruin from a 

 single bad season, or from depressions in the markets. The example 

 of the Dutch colonies do not apply with sufficient correctness to 

 Great Britain. 



Emigration: We have never yet heard one single argument 

 sufficient to prove the necessity of our peasantry emigrating. As- 

 sertions are indeed constantly made that we are burdened with a 

 surplus of labourers, and that by this means the price of labour is 

 ruinously diminished. This undoubtedly is so ; but what then ? Has 

 it been proved, or has it even been endeavoured to be proved, that 

 the capabilities of our native country are exhausted ? that the 

 surplus labour might not be advantageously employed upon our soil ? 

 We have not the slightest hesitation in affirming, that we have space 

 enough, and more than enough, for the absorption of every half-fed 

 and half-paid labourer now pining in want and in despair. We 

 consider the existence of Emigration Committees as a blot as an 

 indelible disgrace upon the knowledge of our statesmen. If Emi- 

 gration is encouraged as a means of peopling new states, be it so : 

 we do not object to that ; but we do most solemnly protest against 

 Emigration being encouraged as a means of ridding us of our surplus 

 labourers, upon the ground that Great Britain has no resource within 

 herself for employing her sons. If the thousands of pounds, which 

 are annually wasted by parishes to assist Emigrants, if the thousands 

 that are annually carried from our shores to the United States and 



