THE BALANCE OF THE SEXES IN EMIGRATION. [To the Editor
of the SPECTATOR.]
Snt,—In a most interesting note on Empire settlement by Mr. Evelyn Wrench, in your last issue, he speaks with unmixed enthusiasm of removing " tens of thousands of British youths to our Dominions." But has he considered what the social and economic results would be of any such wholesale disregard of the balance of the sexes ? Already in all the country districts of the Dominions men are in a considerable majority over women, while in Great Britain alone (not including Ireland) we have about two million more women than men. Any scheme of settlement which ignores this balance of the sexes must, in the long run, be prejudicial to both the countries concerned.
I am quite aware that the care and placing of girls on arrival in a new country are beset with great difficulties. But if any scheme of this sort is to be a success in the future, either for these islands or for the Dominions, these difficulties must be faced. It is for us on this side to refuse to send any boys without sending at the same time a corresponding number of girls, for whom adequate and proper provision must be made. The Dominions will, in the end, be grateful to us for our firmness in this matter.—I am, Sir, &c.,
CAROLINE GROSVENOR (Vice-Chairman, Society for the Oversea Settlement of British Women).
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