138 EMIGRATION. 



With this should be united Emigration — confining 

 assistance to the unions in which government is obliged 

 to aid the rate-payers. Let it be in the power of some 

 safe authorities to send out to our colonies, as free 

 labourers under proper precautions, such able-bodied 

 persons as apply for relief, if they are otherwise clearly 

 ascertained to be redundant, as compared with the require- 

 ments of the land in their union. And, until the neces- 

 sary arrangements are made, let such labourers be 

 employed by task-work in tilling some portions of the 

 " deserted " land in the unions, the produce of which 

 will contribute to the maintenance of the poor.* 



As the state would thus adopt heavy liabilities, it 

 might be right to take security against these by some 

 equalisation of taxes between the two countries. 



A limit being thus placed on the increase of poor- 

 rate, the only other difficulty in the way of a capitalist 

 is the variable amount of the valuation on which his 

 rate is chargeable. The more he improves his property, 

 thereby adding to the resources of the State and the 

 employment of the labourer, and the less his neighbour 

 follows the same course, the more unjust is the hard- 



* In the electoral division of Castletown, in the county of Limerick, about 

 a fourth of the land is deserted, and the workhouse and auxiliary houses are 

 filled with able-bodied paupers. Much of the land so deserted is of superior 

 quality, and could be tilled with advantage. It would seem a simple arrange- 

 ment for the guardians to offer the able-bodied, employment by task-work in 

 digging such land at the ordinary rate, after which, it could be sown with 

 oats, also by task- work; and at the same time be manured with a little guano. 

 The crop would at least pay expenses, and the employment would of course 

 lessen rates. Other portions of the deserted land might be let for grazing, 

 if in grass ; the takers being of course relieved by the guardians from paying 

 arrears of rates. It is a lamentable absurdity to see the land kept totally 

 unproductive. If the guardians have not sufficient power for the purpose, it 

 ought to be given to them. 



