Emigrants and empire : British settlement in the dominions between the wars / edited by Stephen Constantine.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Constantine, Stephen, editor.

Series:

Studies in imperialism (Manchester, England)

Studies in imperialism

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Great Britain--Emigration and immigration--History--20th century.

Great Britain.

Great Britain--Colonies--Emigration and immigration--History--20th century.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (x, 208 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Manchester : Manchester University Press, 1990.

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

Professor Drummond's two pioneering studies, British Economic Policy and the Empire 1919-1939, 1972, and Imperial Economic Policy 1917-1939, 1974, helped to revive interest in Empire migration and other aspects of inter-war imperial economic history. This book concentrates upon the attempts to promote state-assisted migration in the post-First World War period particularly associated with the Empire Settlement Act of 1922. It examines the background to these new emigration experiments, the development of plans for both individual and family migration, as well as the specific schemes for the settlement of ex-servicemen and of women. Varying degrees of encouragement, acquiescence and resistance with which they were received in the dominions, are discussed. After the First World War there was a striking reorientation of state policy on emigration from the United Kingdom. A state-assisted emigration scheme for ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen, operating from 1919 to 1922, was followed by an Empire Settlement Act, passed in 1922. This made significant British state funding available for assisted emigration and overseas land settlement in British Empire countries. Foremost amongst the achievements of the high-minded imperial projects was the free-passage scheme for ex-servicemen and women which operated between 1919 and 1922 under the auspices of the Oversea Settlement Committee. Cheap passages were considered as one of the prime factors in stimulating the flow of migration, particularly in the case of single women. The research represented here makes a significant contribution to the social histories of these states as well as of the United Kingdom.

Contents:

Introduction: Empire migration and imperial harmony / Stephen Constantine

A way out of our troubles: the politics of Empire settlement, 1900-1922 / Keith Williams

The assisted emigration of British ex-servicemen to the dominions, 1914-1922 / Kent Fedorowich

The healthy, wholesome British domestic girl: single female migration and the Empire Settlement Act, 1922-1930 / Janice Gothard

We can die just as easy out here: Australia and British migration, 1916-1939 / Michael Roe

Immigration and the making of New Zealand, 1918-1939 / Stephen Constantine

Leaven for the lump: Canada and Empire settlement, 1918-1939 / John A. Schultz

Empire settlement and South African immigration policy, 1910-1948 / Edna Bradlow.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 24 Jul 2026).