This 1924 newspaper article reads: THREE HUNDRED MORE CHILD SLAVES
A recent press despatch states that three hundred more children from Great Britain have arrived in Ontario under the parental wing of the Salvation Army. Quite a long report is given of the details of their arrival, and a really beautiful description of the distributing homes in the Niagara Peninsula is written into the account. The press despatch goes on to state that steps have been taken to prevent the boys passing through the city of Toronto while passing to the homes because there is "a possibility of encountering temptation while doing so." Another enlightening paragraph states that the farmers are demanding boys, boys, and more boys in order that their crops may be safely garnered this fall.
In fact, "quite an interesting scene is depicted when the newcomers arrive, and the farmers flock to the hostel to secure their boy farmhands."
As far as the temptation bunk is concerned, we have an idea that the Sanctimonious Army is not so much worried over the evils that the boys may encounter, but that they do so in an effort to live up to every clause of their contract in delivering the child farmhands over to the farmers who are so eager to receive this bountiful cheap labor. And the scene of the farmers grabbing at the cheap labor reminds me of the old slave markets of the Southern States before the Civil War. Once again we protest against this slave trade and denounce those who are responsible for delivering these children of British workers into believing that they are escaping any misery by migrating to this country.
A recent press despatch states that three hundred more children from Great Britain have arrived in Ontario under the parental wing of the Salvation Army. Quite a long report is given of the details of their arrival, and a really beautiful description of the distributing homes in the Niagara Peninsula is written into the account. The press despatch goes on to state that steps have been taken to prevent the boys passing through the city of Toronto while passing to the homes because there is "a possibility of encountering temptation while doing so." Another enlightening paragraph states that the farmers are demanding boys, boys, and more boys in order that their crops may be safely garnered this fall.
In fact, "quite an interesting scene is depicted when the newcomers arrive, and the farmers flock to the hostel to secure their boy farmhands."
As far as the temptation bunk is concerned, we have an idea that the Sanctimonious Army is not so much worried over the evils that the boys may encounter, but that they do so in an effort to live up to every clause of their contract in delivering the child farmhands over to the farmers who are so eager to receive this bountiful cheap labor. And the scene of the farmers grabbing at the cheap labor reminds me of the old slave markets of the Southern States before the Civil War. Once again we protest against this slave trade and denounce those who are responsible for delivering these children of British workers into believing that they are escaping any misery by migrating to this country.
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This article entitled: British Boy Settlers Commit Suicide in Australia reads: A news despatch [sic] states that in the British House of Commons it was said that three British Boy Settlers had committed suicide during the last year in Australia. Apparently in spite of all the excuses for the acts of the five boys who have taken their own lives here in Canada, it seems to be a general rule that boy immigrants do so because of the conditions of slavery under which they work. In our last issue we showed how these boys were delivered bound over to Canadian farmers as cheap labour. In Australia also this is done. Another reason why the Labour movement should fight like the devil to abolish this infamous practice. |
A group of pretty children aboard a C.P.R. Liner on the way to Canada
The flow of child immigrants into Canada has started again, after its complete cessation during the war. The recent arrival at Quebec, on a C.P.R. steamer, of several hundred boys from the Barnardo Homes of London, draws attention anew to this important and desirable stream of juvenile immigration. Few realize that a total of 76,000 child immigrants have entered the Dominion since the first shipload came years ago. It steadilly grew in volume until two thousand a year entered the country, the number reaching high water mark in one year with 3,266 |
Who are these Child Immigrantes? They come from eleven British institutions of a philanthropic character such as the Barnardo, the Quarrier, the MacPherson and the National Childdren's Homes, in which as orphans or semi-orphans, they are rescued, cared for and trained for their adult life. Onlly the best physically, mentally and morally are sent to Canada and then only after as thorough preparation as can be given to young boys and girls. The fact that seventy-five per cent of those who come to Canada follow agricultural pursuits and that over ninety per cent of the total arrivals make good in their new home, makes them a highly desirable addition to the population. They are not only under close supervision in these Old Country Homes, but the selected parties for overseas are accompanied by trained workers. On landing, they are first taken to one of the score or more Receiving and Distributiong Homes, to be found in the chief cities. This means that the placing of the child immigrants with foster homes is conducted with as much care as their transfer across the Atlantic. It is a remarkable fact in this connection that for every boy and girl thrus brought to Canada there have been a dozen applicants. This demad enables those who are responsible for the children's well being to allocate them with great care. There follows close inspection and supervision of them for some time after they are placed and this also tends to keep high the average of successful adoption to new conditions in a new land.
It should be remembered that hundreds of these same boys, who came in earlier years, enlisted voluntarily in the war and served with the highest distinction, proving themselves to be as loyal and brave as the best of Canadians. The 75,000 child immigrants have long since been absorbed into the life of Canada and are playing their part in her developement. They have been successful in all ranks of life and are found in all the professions and other lines of work. Some have found their way to legislative halls, some ar ein the ministry and a large number are equally successful farmers, stock growers and ranchers. Every province has it quota and hundreds of testimonials are on file as to the high qualities of these youthful immigrants who are received into the life of the Dominion in their plastic years and who, by kindly care and oversight are guided into a useful citizenship. In addition to the class of immigrant children above described many children of excellent British fammilies come to Canada. Some come with their parents while other strike out alone or accompanied for this for this country in their early youth. |
