Emigration and the Labouring Poor: Australian Recruitment in Britain and Ireland, 1831–60

Haines, Robin F.

Robin Haines has analysed the origins, occupations, literacy, and mobilization of emigrants recruited in the UK on behalf of colonial legislatures. Her exploration of strict selection procedures shows that the symbiosis between the clergy, empire-minded philanthropic societies, and parishes, which combined to fund the emigrants' considerable pre-departure expenses, increased the opportunities for underemployed rural and domestic workers during an era of farm rationalization and industrial restructuring. Although poor, hybrid state and private funding enabled them to relocate to Australia where their skills were in demand.

Details

Published by: Palgrave Macmillan

Publication Date: 1997-09-12

Format: Paperback

ISBN-13: 9781349257065

DOI: 10.1007/978-1-349-25704-1

Dimensions: 216cm x140cm

Pages: 397