By a combination of City and Town Colonies,there will be a market for at least a large portion of the products.At the rate of our present consumption in the London Food Depots and Homes for the Destitute alone,at least 50acres would be required for potatoes alone,and every additional Colonist would be an additional consumer.
There will be no rent to pay,as it is proposed to buy the land right out.In the event of a great rush being made for the allotment's spoken of,further land might be rented,with option of purchase.
Of course,the continuous change of labourers would tell against the profitableness of the undertaking.But this would be proportionally beneficial to the country,seeing that everyone who passes through the institution with credit makes one less in the helpless crowd.
The rent of Cottages and Allotments would constitute a small return,and at least pay interest on the money invested in them.
The labour spent upon the Colony would be constantly increasing its money value.Cottages would be built,orchards planted,land enriched,factories run up,warehouses erected,while other improvements would be continually going forward.All the labour and a large part of the material would be provided by the Colonists themselves.
It may be suggested that the worker would nave to be maintained during the progress of these erections and manufactures,the cost of which would in itself amount to a considerable sum.Truer and for this the first outlay would be required.But after this every cottage erected,every road made,in short every structure and improvement,would be a means of carrying forward the regenerating process,and in many cases it is expected will become a source of income.
As the Scheme progresses,it is not irrational to expect that Government,or some of the varied Local Authorities,will assist in the working out of a plan which,in so marked a manner,will relieve the rates and taxes or the country.
The salaries of Officers would be in keeping with those given in the Salvation Army,which are very low.
No wages would be paid to Colonists,as has been described,beyond pocket money and a trifle for extra service.
Although no permanent invalid would be knowingly taken into the Colonies,it is fair to assume that there will be a certain number,and also a considerable residuum of naturally indolent,half-witted people,incapable of improvement,left upon our hands.Still,it is thought that with reformed habits,variety of employment,and careful oversight,such may be made to earn their own maintenance,at least,especially when it is borne in mind that unless they work,so far as they have ability,they cannot remain in the Colony.
If the Household Salvage Scheme which has been explained in Chapter II.
proves the success we anticipate,there can be no question that great financial assistance will be rendered by it to the entire scheme when once the whole thing has been brought into working order.
THE FINANCIAL ASPECT OF THE COLONY OVER-SEA.
Let us now turn to the Colony Over-Sea,and regard it also from the financial standpoint.Here we must occupy ourselves chiefly with the preliminary outlay,as we could not for a moment contemplate having to find money to assist it when once fairly established.The initial expense will,no doubt,be somewhat heavy,but not beyond a reasonable amount.
The land required would probably be given,whether we go to Africa,Canada,or elsewhere;anyway,it would be acquired on such easy terms as would be a near approach to a gift.
A considerable sum would certainly be necessary for effecting the first settlements.There would be temporary buildings to erect,land to break up and crop;stock,farm implements,and furniture to purchase,and other similar expenses.But this would not be undertaken on a large scale,as we should rely,to some extent,on the successive batches of Colonists more or less providing for themselves,and in this respect working out their own salvation.
The amount advanced for passages,outfit money,and settlement would be repaid by instalments by the Colonists,which would in turn serve to pay the cost of conveying others to the same destination.
Passage and outfit money would,no doubt,continue to be some difficulty.#8per head,say to Africa--#5passage money,and #3for the journey across the country--is a large sum when a considerable number are involved;and I am afraid no Colony would be reached at a much lower rate.But I am not without hope that the Government might assist us in this direction.
Taking up the entire question,that is of the three Colonies,we are satisfied that the sum named will suffice to set to work an agency which will probably rescue from lives of degradation and immorality an immense number of people,and that an income of something like #30,000will keep it afloat.But supposing that a much larger amount should be required,by operations greatly in advance of those here spoken of,which we think exceedingly probable,it is not unreasonable to expect that it will be forthcoming,seeing that caring for the poor is not only a duty of universal obligation,a root principle of all religion,but an instinct of humanity not likely to be abolished in our time.
We are not opposed to charity as such,but to the mode of its administration,which,instead of permanently relieving,only demoralises and plunges the recipients lower in the mire,and so defeats its own purpose.
"What!"I think I hear some say,"a million sterling!how can any man out of Bedlam dream of raising such a sum?"Stop a little!A million may be a great deal to pay for a diamond or a palace,but it is a mere trifle compared with the sums which Britain lavishes whenever Britons are in need of deliverance if they happen to be imprisoned abroad.
