EMIGRATION WORK IN CANADA
By The Very Rev. Canon Keating -- excerpt from July, 1905.
THE FOLD
The emigration of Catholic children to Canada was commenced by Mgr. Nugent many years ago, and has been continued by those who, in the various dioceses, have taken up the Rescue work of which he was the pioneer. In this way many hundreds of young folk have been carried across the Atlantic. The success of this method of dealing with destitute boys and girls was so marked that, at the desire of the Archbishop of Westminster, the several agencies recently combined in one Catholic Emigration Association to carry on the work still more efficiently and on a still larger scale. The first party of emigrants to sail under the auspices of the new association was placed in charge of the writer of this paragraph.
We assembled at Liverpool on May 4th. The party consisted to 50 boys, drawn from Rescue homes in all parts of England. The average age was about 14. Most of them boasted Irish names, and all professed the English language, which they spoke in every variety of accent from the broadest Yorkshire to the most wonderful cockney. Our ship was the Allan Liner "Bavarian", in which we managed to embark after a couple of hours of intense bustle. About 5 p.m. the last bugle sounded, the moorings were thrown off, and amid cheers and good-byes and waving of handkerchiefs from a vast crowd on the landing-stage, we slowly steamed away down the river.
Our nine days' voyage was uneventful. We had fine days and wet days, smooth seas and sometimes rather rough ones. There was a good deal of sea-sickness,of course, during the first three or four days. The last part of the journey was bitterly cold, and we were delayed by fog and ice. But the ship's stewards were kindness itself, especially towards the invalids, and the boys were a merry-hearted band, ready to make the best of everything.
On reaching Quebec we were met by Mr. Arden, the Canadian Agent of the Catholic Emigration Association. Mr. Arden was formerly an Anglican clergyman. Very soon after his conversion he found a new vocation, and a most congenial one, in Rescue Work, under the guidance of Mr. Chilton Thomas, of Liverpool. He has spent the last two years in Canada, and has now been placed by the Association in charge of its Canadian work. The headquarters are at Ottawa, where the Association has a receiving house called St. George's Home. All parties of emigrants are lodged at St. George's Home for a few days after their arrival.
From Quebec to Ottawa is a railway journey of 300 miles, which occupied about 12 hours. The Home is situated in the suburb of Hintonburg. The accommodation is adequate for 50 children. Standing in its own grounds, a large plot is available for a playground. The few days the children spend there are invaluable as preparation for their new life. Order and discipline reign supreme. Occasion is taken by Mr. Arden and his staff of "visitors" to make personal acquaintance with each child, with a view to guaging its character and capabilities; and two or three conferences are delivered by Mr. Arden, explaining to the children in a familiar way what they are to expect, and how they are to conduct themselves when they go out to their places. The gist of these instructions is contained in a booklet handed to each child on leaving the home. Some of the items, which show the working of the Association in Canada, may be given here.
The Emigration Association is the legal guardian of every emigrant boy or girl up to the age of 18. The agent, acting for the association, enters into all contracts on behalf of the child. If the child or the employer proves unsatisfactory, the child must be returned to St. George's Home. Every child is visited by one of the Association's representatives at least once a year, when careful enquiry is made into any complaints that may be made on either side. Moreover, each child is furnished with a supply of letter-cards, stamped, and directed to the agent, so that harsh treatment, if it occurs, may be looked into without delay. All wages are paid to the Association on behalf of the child. But, I am happy to be able to testify, that not one cent is deducted for expenses of any description. As soon as an employer pays any sum on account of a child, a statement is forwarded to the boy or girl showing the total amount to its credit, and the amount now paid in, less what-ever sums the child has been allowed to draw by way of pocket-money. By this system a boy of 18 generally has to his credit from 150 to 200 dollars -- 30 to 40 pounds. At the age of 18 the children become independent of the Association, and are free to make their own contracts.
So far the system, as for the working of it, no words can express the gratification the writer felt at what came under his observation. The office, arrangements at Ottawa appear to be in excellent order. Records are kept of each of the l,200 children under the Association's care. Whatever name is called, all details are at once forthcoming, the child's age, date of emigration, where it came from, what place it has had, when visited, etc., etc. But this is mere clerical work. The crowning consolation is found in visiting the farms in which the children are placed. The emigrant boy, as a rule, is originally taken from the gutter of our great cities, London, Liverpool, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, etc. Drunkeness, foul language, immorality, want, and cruelty have been familiar to him from infancy. As if by magic,he is transported to a land where such wretchedness is unknown. He finds himself a member of a fervent Catholic family. In Canada, to miss Mass is a crime practically unknown. Monthly Confession and Communion is the common practice. Throughout Catholic Canada family night prayers is the rule, including five Mysteries of the Rosary. No swearing, no foul talk ever reaches his ears. Intoxicating drink he never sees on the table. His "boss" and the wife are more to him than father and mother ever were. The children of the house are his companions and playmates. In a few months he has forgotten that he is a "waif." The stigma of the Workhouse or Industrial School is gone. The pure air, the wholesome food, the sound rest, the cleanliness of soul and body, have made him a new being. He is a well set up little fellow, with frank, open expression, fearless and straightforward in conversation because he has nothing to conceal.
No one, who has not witnessed it , can credit the bond of affection that grows up between the emigrant lad and his employer. Even in this country, the affection of these neglected children towards anyone who is kind to them is touching and beautiful. But in Canada it settles down into solid filial piety. In the rare cases where it does not , the Society steps in; and, after a second complaint the child is removed, and given another trial in fresh surroundings. That child is unfortunate, indeed, who, on a second trial, does not find himself happy in a Catholic Canadian home.
The emigration of Catholic children to Canada was commenced by Mgr. Nugent many years ago, and has been continued by those who, in the various dioceses, have taken up the Rescue work of which he was the pioneer. In this way many hundreds of young folk have been carried across the Atlantic. The success of this method of dealing with destitute boys and girls was so marked that, at the desire of the Archbishop of Westminster, the several agencies recently combined in one Catholic Emigration Association to carry on the work still more efficiently and on a still larger scale. The first party of emigrants to sail under the auspices of the new association was placed in charge of the writer of this paragraph.
We assembled at Liverpool on May 4th. The party consisted to 50 boys, drawn from Rescue homes in all parts of England. The average age was about 14. Most of them boasted Irish names, and all professed the English language, which they spoke in every variety of accent from the broadest Yorkshire to the most wonderful cockney. Our ship was the Allan Liner "Bavarian", in which we managed to embark after a couple of hours of intense bustle. About 5 p.m. the last bugle sounded, the moorings were thrown off, and amid cheers and good-byes and waving of handkerchiefs from a vast crowd on the landing-stage, we slowly steamed away down the river.
Our nine days' voyage was uneventful. We had fine days and wet days, smooth seas and sometimes rather rough ones. There was a good deal of sea-sickness,of course, during the first three or four days. The last part of the journey was bitterly cold, and we were delayed by fog and ice. But the ship's stewards were kindness itself, especially towards the invalids, and the boys were a merry-hearted band, ready to make the best of everything.
On reaching Quebec we were met by Mr. Arden, the Canadian Agent of the Catholic Emigration Association. Mr. Arden was formerly an Anglican clergyman. Very soon after his conversion he found a new vocation, and a most congenial one, in Rescue Work, under the guidance of Mr. Chilton Thomas, of Liverpool. He has spent the last two years in Canada, and has now been placed by the Association in charge of its Canadian work. The headquarters are at Ottawa, where the Association has a receiving house called St. George's Home. All parties of emigrants are lodged at St. George's Home for a few days after their arrival.
From Quebec to Ottawa is a railway journey of 300 miles, which occupied about 12 hours. The Home is situated in the suburb of Hintonburg. The accommodation is adequate for 50 children. Standing in its own grounds, a large plot is available for a playground. The few days the children spend there are invaluable as preparation for their new life. Order and discipline reign supreme. Occasion is taken by Mr. Arden and his staff of "visitors" to make personal acquaintance with each child, with a view to guaging its character and capabilities; and two or three conferences are delivered by Mr. Arden, explaining to the children in a familiar way what they are to expect, and how they are to conduct themselves when they go out to their places. The gist of these instructions is contained in a booklet handed to each child on leaving the home. Some of the items, which show the working of the Association in Canada, may be given here.
The Emigration Association is the legal guardian of every emigrant boy or girl up to the age of 18. The agent, acting for the association, enters into all contracts on behalf of the child. If the child or the employer proves unsatisfactory, the child must be returned to St. George's Home. Every child is visited by one of the Association's representatives at least once a year, when careful enquiry is made into any complaints that may be made on either side. Moreover, each child is furnished with a supply of letter-cards, stamped, and directed to the agent, so that harsh treatment, if it occurs, may be looked into without delay. All wages are paid to the Association on behalf of the child. But, I am happy to be able to testify, that not one cent is deducted for expenses of any description. As soon as an employer pays any sum on account of a child, a statement is forwarded to the boy or girl showing the total amount to its credit, and the amount now paid in, less what-ever sums the child has been allowed to draw by way of pocket-money. By this system a boy of 18 generally has to his credit from 150 to 200 dollars -- 30 to 40 pounds. At the age of 18 the children become independent of the Association, and are free to make their own contracts.
So far the system, as for the working of it, no words can express the gratification the writer felt at what came under his observation. The office, arrangements at Ottawa appear to be in excellent order. Records are kept of each of the l,200 children under the Association's care. Whatever name is called, all details are at once forthcoming, the child's age, date of emigration, where it came from, what place it has had, when visited, etc., etc. But this is mere clerical work. The crowning consolation is found in visiting the farms in which the children are placed. The emigrant boy, as a rule, is originally taken from the gutter of our great cities, London, Liverpool, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, etc. Drunkeness, foul language, immorality, want, and cruelty have been familiar to him from infancy. As if by magic,he is transported to a land where such wretchedness is unknown. He finds himself a member of a fervent Catholic family. In Canada, to miss Mass is a crime practically unknown. Monthly Confession and Communion is the common practice. Throughout Catholic Canada family night prayers is the rule, including five Mysteries of the Rosary. No swearing, no foul talk ever reaches his ears. Intoxicating drink he never sees on the table. His "boss" and the wife are more to him than father and mother ever were. The children of the house are his companions and playmates. In a few months he has forgotten that he is a "waif." The stigma of the Workhouse or Industrial School is gone. The pure air, the wholesome food, the sound rest, the cleanliness of soul and body, have made him a new being. He is a well set up little fellow, with frank, open expression, fearless and straightforward in conversation because he has nothing to conceal.
No one, who has not witnessed it , can credit the bond of affection that grows up between the emigrant lad and his employer. Even in this country, the affection of these neglected children towards anyone who is kind to them is touching and beautiful. But in Canada it settles down into solid filial piety. In the rare cases where it does not , the Society steps in; and, after a second complaint the child is removed, and given another trial in fresh surroundings. That child is unfortunate, indeed, who, on a second trial, does not find himself happy in a Catholic Canadian home.
