Then we have seen that one of the great difficulties in the direction of emigration is the cost of transport.The expense of conveying a man from England to Australia,occupying as it does some seven or eight weeks,arises not so much from the expense connected with the working of the vessel which carries him,as the amount of provisions he consumes during the passage.Now,with this plan I think that the emigrants might be made to earn at least a portion of this outlay.
There is no reason why a man should not work on board ship any more than on land.Of course,nothing much could be done when the weather was very rough;but the average number of days during which it would be impossible for passengers to employ themselves profitably in the time spent between the Channel and Cape Town or Australia would be comparatively few.
When the ship was pitching or rolling,work would be difficult;but even then,when the Colonists get their sea-legs,and are free from the qualmishness which overtakes landsmen when first getting afloat,I cannot see why they should not engage in some form of industrial work far more profitable than yawning and lounging about the deck,to say nothing of the fact that by so doing they would lighten the expense of their transit.The sailors,firemen,engineers,and everybody else connected with a vessel have to work,and there is no reason why our Colonists should not work also.
Of course,this method would require special arrangements in the fitting up of the vessel,which,if it were our own,it would not be difficult to make.At first sight it may seem difficult to find employments on board ship which could be engaged in to advantage,and it might not be found possible to fix up every individual right away;but I think there would be very few of the class and character of people we should take out,with the prior instructions they would have received,who would not have fitted themselves into some useful labour before the voyage ended.
To begin with,there would be a large amount of the ordinary ship's work that the Colonists could perform,such as the preparation of food,serving it out,cleaning the decks and fittings of the ship generally,together with the loading and unloading of cargo.All these operations could be readily done under the direction of permanent hands.
Then shoemaking,knitting,sewing,tailoring,and other kindred occupations could be engaged in.I should think sewing-machines could be worked,and,one way or another,any amount of garments could be manufactured,which would find ready and profitable sale on landing,either among the Colonists themselves,or with the people round about.
Not only would the ship thus be a perfect hive of industry,it would also be a floating temple.The Captain,Officers,and every member of the crew would be Salvationists,and all,therefore,alike interested in the enterprise.Moreover,the probabilities are that we should obtain the service of the ship's officers and crew in the most inexpensive manner,in harmony with the usages of the Army everywhere else,men serving from love and not as a mere business.The effect produced by our ship cruising slowly southwards testifying to the reality of a Salvation for both worlds,calling at all convenient ports,would constitute a new kind of mission work,and drawing out everywhere a large amount of warm practical sympathy.At present the influence of those who go down to the sea in ships is not always in favour of raising the morals and religion of the dwellers in the places where they come.Here,however,would be one ship at least whose appearance foretold no disorder,gave rise to no debauchery,and from whose capacious hull would stream forth an Army of men,who,instead of thronging the grog-shops and other haunts of licentious indulgence,would occupy themselves with explaining and proclaiming the religion of the Love of God and the Brotherhood of Man.
