Speech #620291676

This practice of free debate and public discussion. the contest of mind with mind. and that popular eloquence which. if it were now here. on a subject like this would move the stones of the Capitolwhose was the language in which all these were first exhibited? Even the edifice in which we assemble. these proportioned columns. this ornamented architecture. all remind us that Greece has existed and that w. like the rest of mankind. are greatly her debtors. Now they say we should increase the head tax. And I ain reminded of the story of an Irish orator. who was a candidate for Congress. addressing a majority ofhis countrymen in New York. and he said at that timesome 20 years ago: "They want to make our head tax $25. My friends. could you picture a mail leaving the old country if lie had $25." The complaint has been frequently heard.during the debate upon this bill that the class of emigrants coming from southern Europe has been largely responsible for the falling off of emigration from western Europe. yet no statistics have been presented by which this contention might be sustained. On the contrary. many nations are spending large sums of money to encourage what we seek to destroy. A bonus of fi is paid to the booking agent on each ticket to Canada sold to a British subject who Is engaged in the 6ccupation of farmer. farns laborer. gardener. stableman. carter. railway surface man. navvy. or miner. and who signifies his intention to follow farmiug or railway construction work in Canada. N\ot content with the work of regular immigration agents. Canada has been sending airicultural delegates to Great Britain. The Salvation Army is also utilized as an agency to promote emigration to Canada. and grants of money are made to the army for that purpose. Canada annually receives a considerable number of English immigrants. who have been sent by private or State aid from the mother country. Canada also encourages the immigration of poor and homeless British children to her borders.. This immigration is chiefly recruited from the orphan or industrial homes of the Iritish Isles. Ali increase in the head tax is proposed in this bill which. while it does not entail a great hardship. is so entirely at varianc6 with methods now in vogue in other countries as to be .Worthy of serious ihought. The Australian Government furnishes land to settlers at a nominal price. payable in small installments. Moreover. in all 203.0 the States except Tasmania allowances are made to settlers for Improving their holdings. By way of further inducements. the States pay the passage. wholly or in part. of immigrants from the United Kingdom whose purpose it is to settle on the land or to engage in farming or other work of a similar nature. Assistance is also offered to donestic servants and other persons who can satisfy the Australian agent in London that they would make desirable settlers in Australia. The policy of assisting Immigration has been pursued by the several States of Australia for a greater part of the timesince their settlement. According to official information 653.698 Stateaided immigrants have been admitted to the Australian States. That all these efforts should have diverted from the United States a part of the British emigration was inevitable. irrespective of any causes originating in the United States. The rise of land values in the United States and the agricultural opportunities of the Canadian Northwest have during the past decade resulted in an emigration of American farmers to Canada.