ASSISTED IMMIGRATION INTRODUCED
The Emigrant, London, c.1850. Courtesy National Library of Australia
From 1815 the Colonial Government decided to promote the migration of free settlers and limit squatter land leases to 14 years. This was to create an emancipist consumer economy and improve the moral tone of the colony. The Colonial Government assisted some migrants by paying their fare to Australia and helped to set up farms and businesses alongside the wealthy squatters – who of course were not very happy with such competition.
About one third of migrants who came to Australia between 1830 and 1850 paid their own way. Convicts and settlers who came to Australia found that in comparison to Europe, conditions were very good and with hard work and determination they could prosper. They encouraged their relatives in England to come to Australia and enjoy the prosperity. Women migrants were also assisted to curb a gender imbalance in the colonies, to work as domestic servants and to foster marriages and childbirth. These migration schemes resulted in 58,000 people coming to Australia between 1815 and 1840.
With increasing numbers of free migrants and the desire of colonial society to be free of the hated convict stain, the Colonial Government decided to cease transportation to New South Wales in 1852. Between 1788 and 1868 approximately 160,000 convicts were sent to Australia.
The constant flow of immigrants through the 19th century had a cumulative effect on the Australian colonies. Europe and especially Britain was in the midst of the most profound scientific, industrial and political changes which were transforming the civilised world. The immigrants brought with them the first hand knowledge of these sweeping changes. In every conceivable way they speeded up Australian development, so that a nation which could have easily have remained a remote backwater was often the forefront of the Victorian progress. Even though they became ‘Australian’ the immigrants were constantly looking at developments at home and as soon innovation was made demanded ‘Why can’t that be done here too?’ In turn their new country gave something back even to the most humble migrant.
Despite attempts to supplant the English class system in Australia by the elites, a person was valued for what they could achieve with their own hands. Newcomers were astonished to find that even the Irish, regarded in England as the lowest form of humanity, could become respected members of the community.
A democracy of ‘honest sweat’ had begun to build the tradition of the ‘fair go’ in 19th century Australia.
