AN EMIGRATION SCHEME. 279 
adoption he goes to ruin before he has had time to learn how 
to live there. A wise man, on emigrating, generally asks 
mmself this question—‘ How can I support life, and keep 
the little capital I have (supposing he is not quite destitute) 
until I learn how the land lies?” Thousands stop at home 
Mm misery and want because they cannot answer this question, 
and dare not take this first step in the dark. Suppose there 
Were established in London, in connection, say, with a central 
Committee on emigration, a newspaper (call it The Emigrant) 
devoted to the subject, and an office to which all who desired 
could apply, we should be able in time to supply much of the 
‘information required. 
_ The editor of The Emigrant would be able to assist all 
parties, first by publishing, under authority, so to speak, 
‘Teliable information of every kind bearing upon the subject, 
and, secondly, by bringing interested parties—shippers, 
4gents for land and railway companies, colonial and other 
Government agents, landowners, and the rest—face to face, 
] through the advertising columns, with those who need lands 
and conveyance to them. 7 
One indispensable point would have to be reliability © 
‘formation. We must have no more British Columbia lies, 
Such as were palmed upon us a few years ago by a “ large- 
_ ~print”’ correspondent ina daily paper. Better lack of informa- 
tion than false statements. The advertisements should be 
- Quite distinct from the editorial part of the paper, and those 
Which were evidently false should be omitted. 
The office should be an inquiry office, and might be con- 
ducted on the general plan of our registry offices for servants. 
It might be made almost self-supporting by demanding a 
small charge for services rendered. A library and reading- 
room would form an indispensable branch of the establish- 
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