Issue 3: Economy Emigration

Was emigration a serious problem for Scotland in the 1920s? In the inter-war period Scotland had the highest rate of emigration of any European country. It was said that Scotland was being emptied of its population, its spirit, its wealth, its industry and its talent. Many Scots saw emigration as an escape from slum housing, unemployment, land shortages and decline.

Did the Empire Settlement Act of 1922 boost emigration? This Act provided for the first large-scale government-assisted migration programme. It was intended to boost the rural populations of Canada and other parts of the British Empire. Subsidies were paid to emigrants who agreed to work the land for a certain amount of time. Subsidised emigrants to Australia were known as ‘£5 Poms’

Emigration Lowland Scotland also saw the emigration of large numbers of skilled and talented labour – from the depressed industrial areas of central Scotland . In the 1920s 3 out of 10 migrants to New Zealand came from Scotland . Emigration was also increased by the deliberate actions of the Canadian government targeting Scots migrants By the 1920s Canadian officials in Scotland were actively encouraging emigration to Canada and had offices in Glasgow and Inverness.

Emigration in Perspective Huge numbers of Scots did emigrate but 1/3rd of emigrants returned so impact was not as great as seemed at the time. Some recorded as emigrants were in fact workers taking advantage of cheaper fares to work for higher wages in the USA/Canada for a short period or a season before returning home. Widespread emigration was seen as a symbol of Scotland’s decline. It was felt that Scotland’s brightest and best were leaving. It also sparked an anti-Irish reaction in the 1920s as it was felt Scots workers were being forced out by Irish immigrants stealing jobs and housing .