THE star of ill-omen under which Western Australia suffered for the first few years of settlement again projected its old rays upon her. For a brief period good progress had been made, but once more dull depression and years of tribulation were entered upon. The cause was variously accounted for. Some people discovered it in the want of labour; some in the conditions under which land was sold; some in the abnormal rates of interest, and the excess of imports over exports. The first signs were observed in a dispiriting fall in prices of stock, and in a lamentable and constant drainage of specie from the little colony. Various schemes were advocated to secure the inauguration of an era of prosperity.
Since the inception of settlement enormous prices had been paid for sheep, yet by laudable thrift colonists were able to purchase fairly large flocks. It came as a great surprise, now that they possessed sheep sufficient to establish a substantial export trade in wool, that prices should fall to almost a tithe of what they were in previous years. It was apparently an unexpected circumstance, and caused them to bemoan their bad fortune. In recent years prices of sheep had slightly receded, but early in 1843 the fall was remarkable. In February Messrs. L. and W. Samson held a sale, when ewes, which for years before had sold at from £3 to £6, only brought 10s. The prices of wethers receded to 19s. 6d., ewe lambs to 10s., wether lambs to 6s, 6d., and four and six-tooth to 14s. 6d.
But with the multiplication in number of sheep, there had not been a corresponding growth of population. While flocks had increased exceedingly, people had increased but little, and the ratio was not preserved. There were few consumers, and in the absence of a reliable and large export trade, the sheep market was bound to become depressed. Thenceforth the prices of sheep continued low, and no longer was a famine in fresh meat possible.
At the opening of the Legislative Council on 15th June, 1843, Governor Hutt delivered an important speech relating to the condition of the colony. The events of the past year had proved, he asserted, the stability of Western Australia, but although numbers of immigrants had arrived, who all found profitable employment, there was still a dearth of labour for farming and stock operations. He suggested that, since prices of stock had fallen so low, colonists should employ their capital in new spheres. The disparity existing between the amounts of imports and exports was great. There was an enormous balance of trade against the colony, which had to be provided for by either sending specie out of the colony or issuing extra Treasury Bills. Trade could not be beneficially prosecuted on such terms. To avoid embarrassment, some additional exchangeable commodities must be exported.
It was soon evident that the public considered the labour question contained the solution of the problem. The introduction of emigrants by the Western Australian Company for the settlement at Australind had, with those imported by the Government and private persons, afforded some relief to the market. In April, 1843, the emigrant ship Success landed others, but though these soon found situations, their numbers were not considered nearly adequate. At a meeting, on 21st June, 1843, of a society termed the Western Australian Society, formed in Perth to advertise the natural and acquired advantages of Western Australia as a settlement, the chairman, Mr. Peter Brown, observed that the progress of the colony was retarded by the want of labour. He advocated the requirement of special funds to encourage immigration. The Advocate-General, Mr. G. F. Moore, who had recently returned from a visit to England, was also convinced that immigration would result in greater prosperity, and regretted the continued misstatements which were being circulated concerning the colony. He collected a number of newspaper clippings which showed a lamentable lack of knowledge of Western Australia. Mr. Brown somewhat hastily congratulated the society that the English press was at last convinced of the importance of Western Australia. Increased immigration was advocated, and several colonists announced that the introduction of a band of couriers would stimulate prosperity.
That the English press momentarily began to espouse the cause of colonists is evident. The Times, in April, 1843, published an article on colonisation, together with a memorial presented to the Imperial Government by London bankers, merchants, and others, importuning the authorities to conduct colonisation on such a large scale and on such sound principles as would offer a safe and ready field for augmenting British trade. Many Englishmen were already looking with hope to the British colonies to afford an opening for home manufactures, and the House of Commons was devoting more attention to colonial affairs. But with all this beginning of interest at home in Britishers abroad, matter inimical to Western Australian affairs still found publication in England and the neighbouring colonies.
A committee was appointed by the Legislative Council to decide on the most appropriate method of obtaining a supply of labour. Its report, which was presented to the Council on 18th October, 1843, dealt with the question of raising sufficient money by land sales for assisting immigration. The members of the committee despaired of supplying the demand in this way, and estimated that in the ensuing year 400 servants would be required, made up of 100 shepherds or boys to mind flocks, farm servants, and 50 male and 50 female domestic servants. To secure this number, they advised that a loan be obtained from the Home Government, the interest to be provided for by an annual vote on the Estimates, by moneys derived from land sales, transfer duties, and other land fund sources. In the event of the non-acceptance of this suggestion, they counselled the establishment of a system of bounty. The report was adopted, and forwarded by Governor Hutt to the Imperial Government, who refused to accede to either recommendation.
Late in October, twenty-eight juvenile emigrants (boys) were brought to the colony by the Shepherd, and secured engagements in trades, or in farming and pastoral pursuits. The population of the colony at the end of 1843 was given as 3,853, of whom 1,155 resided in Perth. For all their years of striving against contrary circumstances the pioneers had gained little advantage, and Western Australia had but a small community.
While believing the labour question contained the solution of their distress, settlers did not disregard the advice of Governor Hutt. The readiest means of employing what little capital they had was in their forest resources, and by a timber trade and by generally increasing the exports they hoped to draw money into the colony.
