Protecting Irish Immigrant Girls.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 47, 20 November 1902, Page 3

Protecting Irish Immigrant Girls.

Sinoe its organisation, 19 years ago, it has been the oustom of the Mission of Oar Lady of the Rosary, for the protection of Irish immigrant girls, New York, to issue an annual address to its patrons and supporters. The statement given out this year by Rev. M. J. Henry, the zealous director of the mission, is of the most interesting character. 1 Ton are aware,' he says, ' that New York, Boston, and Philadelphia are the three porta on the Atlantic seaboard through whioh Irish immigrants enter the United States. From the record of theee landing places we learn that during the year ending June 30, there came from Ireland into the realm of Uncle Sam 28,846 immigrants of both sexes. Naturally, you will be anxious to know how this report compares with that of last year. The comparison is— for year ending June 30, 1901, 30,257 ; for the year ending June SO, 1902, 28,846. This record shows a falling off to the extent of 1,411. 4lt would be interesting to find a cause for this decrease. Admittedly, tbil has been a very prosperous year for the United States. Intending emigrants from Europe are nowadays kept well informed of the industrial conditions of this country. The more prosperous the times, the larger the immigration. In proof of this I may state that 100,000 more immigrants landed at New York this year than the year previous. In the face of suoh conditions, we must trace the decrease in the number of immigrants from Ireland to some great and potent influence. It may be that the dwindling of the Irish population for years past has had an appreciable effect upon emigration. Perhaps with the improved condition of labor in Ireland, young men and young women are not bo anxious to leave their homes as they used to be. We would rather find the cause in the movement against emigration, which the Irish bishops, the Irish parliamentarians, and the Irish press have inaugurated. The result of their united efforts is the check that was put upon reckless emigration daring the past 12 months. We have always been in sympathy with suoh a movement. We welcome the day when Ireland, with her industries resurrected, will be able to maintain her own children, and when there will be no further need iv the land of the stranger of a home for the Irish exile. 1 The port of New York admits by far the largest number of immigrants. The total for the year was 493,262, or nearly half a million. To this aggregate Ireland contributed 19,391. Of this number 10,650 were females, mostly young girls. ' There are many, I presume, who will hear of the mission's existence for the first time. On their account we will briefly summarise the extent of its charity. ' First.— lt exercises a moral influence over steamship lines to protect the immigrant on board of their vessels Second. — 1 1 watches over, guides, and assists at the landing depot those immigrant girls who intend to proceed by rail or steamboat to their destination. Third. — It examines the claims and fitness of relatives and friends who call for the immigrant. Fourth.— lt provides a home ' free of oharge ' for those girls whose friends do not call on the day of arrival, or who have no friends at all, or who are unable to proceed on their journey. Fifth. — It tries to locate relatives of those who bring indefinite addresses. Sixth. — It secures positions in good families for those ready to go to work. ' From this you will see that the work allows plenty of room for the exercise of charity. The fathers of the mission, together with Agent Patrick MoCool, are at Ellis Island on the arrival of the Irish girls. Every attention is given to their guidance and comfort. It is wonderful how a cheery welcome or a kind word from a priest will lighten the weight of care aod anxiety from young Irish hearts. 'All Irish girls left over at the landing depot are in the evening brought to a pleasant home provided for them, where they are welcome to remain without paying for board and lodging. Of these there were 1,835 during the year. They remained with us some for a night and some for a week. 1 Connected with the home is a free employment bureau. Positions in good families were secured for about 400 girls during the year. The unprecedented demand upon us for servants is a silent but eloquent tribute given by the public to the purity, the honesty and the fidelity of the Irish girl.'