[from Ellan Vannin vol 1 #2 p90 June1924]

OVERSEA SETTLEMENT SCHEME.

The £2,500 voted by Tynwald to enable Manx people to come within the scope of the above scheme has, so far, enabled no less than 55 persons to settle in the Colonies. Of these, 20 have been men, 12 women, and 23 children. Up to the end of March, 1924, £367 has been expended in free grants, and £97 in loans. The emigrants concerned have gone to Canada (1), New Zealand (16), and Australia (38). These figures show that the scheme has been very useful in assisting Manx emigrants to seek their fortunes in the far-distant Colonies. We often receive letters from those who intend emigrating, asking for advice, and we have put them in touch with Manx Societies, overseas, who, we feel sure. would welcome and help them, on arrival, to get used to their new surroundings. The Overseas Settlement Department (Colonial Office), in a handbook issued quite recently, gives some useful hints to men who are thinking of settling overseas. We quote them, for the information, and goodly counsel, they give:-

(1) Don't expect everything to be done in the Dominions as it is in the United Kingdom,. You can and will have to accustom yourself to new conditions. You must remember that the habits and customs of a country cannot- be changed to please new arrivals, and that old residents are more likely than newcomers to know what suits their country best.

(2) Don't criticise your new surroundings, or try to make out that things are better done in this country than over-seas. 'That is not the way to get on and make friends in your new home.

(3) Keep to your own trade if possible, but, if you cannot get work: in it, be prepared to do other work for the time being.

(4) Take the first fair offer of work, for trades are not so sharply defined in the Dominions as they are in the United Kingdom. A carpenter, for instance, will often be called upon to act as a joiner, wheelwright, or cooper; or a mason as a brick-layer or stonecutter; or a painter as a paper-hanger; or a ploughman, reaper, or farm labourer as a general labourer.

(5) Make sure you have enough money in your pocket when you land overseas to cover any travelling and other expenses and to keep you going until you can get work.

(6) Don't let strangers know, how much money you have brought with you.

(7) Don't sell up your home or your business until you have learned that you are able to sail.

(8) Members of Trade or Friendly Societies in the United Kingdom should always apply to their own Society for letters of introduction to the corresponding 'Society in the country to which they are going.

(9) Don't invest money until you, have been working a year.