26/08/2026
🗞"EMIGRATION TO SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
*Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following post contains images of people gone to the dreaming.
A LETTER headed appeared in the
(Sydney) Australian Journal of July 4, addressed to the Editor by a correspondent who calls himself
"A Visitor."
There is scarcely an assertion of which we cannot vouch for its correctness, and there is nothing more true in all human probability than the view taken of the labour market in this province, namely, that ' the greater the supply of labour, the greater will be the demand, at least for years and years to come.
"TO THE EDITOR OF THE
"AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL."
Sir—Will you allow me to call attention to the necessity and importance of emigration to Adelaide. Here I believe, are many who have not fixed occupations, nor are in a very thriving condition, notwithstanding all their industry; but for want of better information, are ; afraid to abandon the
"ills they know."
To this class , I say, that they will most certainly improve their condition by removal. At the present there is immediate employment on landing in South Australia for 5,000 people, not altogether in the mines (for the idea here seems to be, that there is no other occupation in that country than mining)—but in many other branches of industry, such as sheep farming, stock keeping, agriculture, building, and many others.
If a man is disposed to work, he will find instant employment, and be well paid for it too. Every day increases the field for labour —new works are being commenced—old ones enlarged —and many are in status quo, for want of men to proceed. The opening up of roads through the country districts alone would employ hundreds—nay thousands ; but the Government, as well as the settler, are cramped, and unable to undertake them for the same reason. But if the inhabitants of Sydney will have it that there are no other occupations than mining, then I can say that there are hundreds of people who will find some thing to do in that way—ay, from the child of five years old, to a man of any age.
I think it a pity that persons in this colony, who desire to improve their estates by emigration, should not be informed of the opportunity that now offers, and at so cheap a rate too. Nor is it a thing for the nonce. No, it will last. The greater the supply of labour, the greater will be the demand, at least for years and years to come. From all points— England, Swan River, the Sound, Van Diemen's Land, Melbourne, and a few from this place—emigrants are pouring in ever week ; still they are absorbed as rapidly as they land. It is like a stream passing over a sandy plain—hardly does it enter it than it is swallowed up. And what labouring people are better off than those who have settled in South Australia ?
Hardly one family in 500 that are not now independent, that is, have all the common comforts of life about them—a piece of land, a good home, cattle, at least cows. pigs, plenty to eat, good clothes to wear. It is the life of a monarch as compared with their lives at home especially to an Irishman. By-the-way I have observed a large number of that class here; and if one set of people get on better than another when abroad, it is the Irish. I do not know an indigent Irish family in the province of South Australia, and I happen to knew a good many.
Mechanics too, have a fine field before them, especially masons and carpenters. House building is now rapidly increasing in Adelaide; stonecutters also would find employment there. But there is one thing they must bear in mind, that they must work, and that honestly. Some persons, in going to the colony, more especially from England, thought they had nothing to do on striving but to pick up gold ingots off the roads, just for the trouble of stooping for them ! They soon found that idleness is as little patronized there as anywhere else.
To the higher classes, or those in trade, I do not think many opportunities of bettering themseIves are open. The shop market is well stocked ; but if they choose to rusticate at the end of a plough, or turn farmer, they might get an independent livelihood. But as for all other classes, I would say, that unless they were well supplied with the "sinews of war" or were resolved to rough it with their own 'shoulder to the wheel " they should remain where they are.
Literary men get tittle encouragement there ; or indeed the scientific or artistical. Plain downright labour, hewing, delving, ploughing, and the like, are only respected. A man that can do any of these, or all, might remove to South Australia with advantage. In England, if a person have a large family he is ready to shoot himself; if in South Australia, he has to congratulate himself; for the very smallest child, after it can use its legs, can there earn a living. The business of gum picking is carried on by a vast number of these juveniles. There are other ways, also, in which they are extremely useful but Sir, I have to apologise for trespassing so long on your attention. Should these few rough hints be the means of improving the condition of any my readers, my object in writing will be accomplished."🗞
South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Wednesday 26 August 1846, page 2
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/27453572 #
📷"A scene in South Australia,
c.1850" Alexander Schramm. Art Gallery of South Australia.
