The Magic of Property. No. II.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 967, 6 August 1881, Page 1 (Supplement)

The Magic of Property. No. II.

By E. A. McKechnie, Esq. (From tlie Star.) That the difference between poverty and abundance, misery and comfort of a people is mainly due to the indifference in existing land laws would seem to be abundantly clear from the testimony of those who have visited Saxony and Bohemia. These two countries lie side by side. A great > part of the people speak the same language, profess the same religion, and belong to the same race. But their land laws are different. In Saxony the land belongs, for the most part, to yeomen farmers and peasants who cultivate it. There is little pauperism, and beggars are unknown; the peasants are well and comfortably clad, the houses convenient and substantially built, the children clean, respectful, and intelligent. The land is well cultivated, and the peasants prosperous and happy. In Bohemia, on the contrary, the land is in the hands of the great nobjes; they generally live away from their estates, and leave their management to agents. The spectacle presented by this country, in comparison with Saxony, is very marked. The peasants are poorly dressed, the cottages small and wretched, the land half cultivated, and beggars abound. Can there be a more striking or convincing proof of the action of land laws on the welfare of a people? But we need not go abroad to prove the truth of the that vast landed possessions, reserved for the ownership of a few proprietors, are contrary to progress and national wealth. We can learn the same lesson by turning to a portion of the English Empire enjoying the advantage of land laws, similar in many respects, to those prevailing on the continent of Europe. I refer to the Channel Islands. It will he worth while to consider for a moment how the land is there owned and worked, and the degree of success attending the labors -af the farmer. The islands themselves are very small. The acreage capable of cultivation in Jersey is about 25,000 acres. In Guernsey, 10,000 acres. In Alderney, 1,500. In the little island of Sarti, GOO. The agricultural population, however, is more than four times as dense as in England. The difference does not arise from any superiority of soil or climate, for the soil is rather poor, and the latter is not better than the southern counties of England. It is owing entirely to the assiduous care of the farmers, and the abundant use of manure. The people are well clad and lodged. Beggars are utterly unknown, and there is little pauperism. No one fit for employment is without work. The homes, the cottages, the farms, the gardens of these prosperous islanders are their own, and under the stimulus of ownership, they acquire knowledge relating to their pursuit, practise, thrift, and industry, and are thus enabled to supply the earliest and best fruit and vegetables,, when they cannot be obtained elsewhere. Now, you will remember there are many individuals in Great Britain, holding estates of 50,000 acres and upwards—and that the whole of these islands taken together, do not ■exceed 40,000. Let us suppose one man owned the four islands. How many families do you think he would employ to manage such an estate? Would there be 20, 30, 50, or 100? We will take the outside number, and reckon each family as 10 —giving a total of a thousand persons. To be on the safe side we will double that number, and say he would employ 2000 persons, which, I think, would be the outside. But what are the facts under a law which has divided the land amongst the people ? The population of Jersey exceeds 56,000, of Guernsey 30,000, of Alderney 5,000, of Sarti GOO. So you see nearly 100,000 persons maintain themselves comfortably out of the soil of these islands under their own system of land tenure, when under this English system they would barely support 2,000. Jersey alone, it is stated, sent in one year to London £300,000 (sic) worth of early potatoes. Can anything be more convincing, or place the matter in a clearer light before you, than these figures ? From w hat I have said it will be clear that the people of England desire to become the owners of the soil, but cannot on account of the nature of our laws, which allows the land to be accumulated in the hands of a few, whilst on the Continent of Europe the same

the daily papers. My wife also, being a great reader, came in time to study them almost as attentively. Everything I saw in them only tended to confirm my longing for the country, while they gave definite views of what kind of farming I was fit for. In fact they educated me for the position before I assumed it. I studied their contents as carefully as did the writers who prepared them —I watched the report of crops, of experiments, and j of profits. The leading idea in my mind was this—that a man of ordinary j • industry and intelligence, by choosing a proper location, within hourly reach of a great city market, could so cultivate a few acres as to ensure a maintenance for his family, free from the ruinous vibrations of trade or commerce in the metropolis., All my reading served to convince me of its soundness. I did not assume that he could get rich on a few acres which I ever expected to own, but I felt assured that he could place himself above want. I knew that his peace of mind w'ould be sure. With me this was dearer than all. My reading had satisfied me that such a man would find ten acres enough, and these I could certainly command.” He subsequently visited the farms around him, and carefully watched all farming operations. He then adds : “ The fund of knowledge thus acquired was not only prodigious, but it has been of lasting value to me in my subsequent operations.” So much for the experience of the Philadelphian. Let us now examine the system of agricultural education on the Continent. Those who have resided among the peasant proprietors in different parts of Europe are unanimous in their statements respecting tie laborious tillage of the fields, the careful cultivation of the gardens, the comfortable houses, the orderly and clean villages, the surprising industry everywhere manifested by everyone. Now all this arises from knowledge and not from ignorance. In various parts of Switzerland and Germany great schools have been established where the children of .farmers and others are educatod, at a very trifling expense, in the science of agriculture. Some of these schools are carried on by the Government, others by the people themselves, for they are so impressed with the absolute necessity of having such schools that they would rather pay for them than be without. To these schools are attached farms, barns, orchards, and every requisite farm implement and machinery. The students acquire there a fair knowledge of agricultural chemistry, the treatment of soils, the management of of manures, the management of cattle, and such like information. The teachers and students dress alike in rough farming costume, go daily into the fields, and engage in all kinds of outdoor farm work. Intelligent Professors superintend the studies and the students are taught how to analyse earths, how to mix and manage them so as to make them as fertile as possible, how to drain land, how to manage a dairy, and numerous other things relating to the science of farming. The teachers in this village school are trained in these Agricultural Schools and give the children under their care rudimentary knowledge of farming desire to own land animates the peasants, and can be gratified—the laws either preventing the accumulation of land or rendering its division compulsory. The desire to possess land is nearly universal amongst mankind, and it creates no little surprise that where it is so cheap and easily obtainable as in this Colony, it should not be sought after and taken up more rapidly. The farms on the Continent vary from 5 to 40 acres, as I have told you, but no one seems to desire farms of such small size here. If I remember rightly, Mr. Swanson offered a considerable quantity of land free of rent, to any person who Would occupy and cultivate it; but I am not aware that his offer has been accepted. Why is this ? The explanation does not appear far to seek. It is the want of agricultural knowledge among the people. There is a little book called “Ten Acres Enough” which I have read more than once. It gives the experience of a man who had lived a business life in his native city (Philadelphia) till he was 40 years of age. ' Not being very successful, he persuaded his wife to try a country life, 1 and the book tells how r he purchased ! 10 acres, what he did with it, and how he found it enough. He says : “ For many years I had been a constant subscriber for several agricultural journals, whose contents 1 read as carefully as I did those of

and gardening. They associate with the peasant farmers and their families understand and take a great interest in their work, confer with and advise them in all their farming operations, and thus gain their respect and esteem Through their good offices the system of agriculture is making rapid progress The people are daily becoming more attached to such pursuits, and eager to acquire sufficient laud to build on. It is their great hope in life, the height of their ambition. I desire to see working men independent, not insolently so, because they have a few shillings in their pockets —that is detestable, but in a quiet, manly, selfreliant way. To become so, to prevent yourselves becoming the sport of every man’s will, to enable you to rule and fashion your lives somewhat in your own way ; to be free, in fact, you must to a certain extent acquire property. Ido not counsel you to strive for wealth, for probably you would not be happier in possessing it. It is certainly unnecessary for contentment and happiness. Our present wants are not many, and the mere necessaries of life can be obtained by most persons in this Colony. A true man--—one who has a respect for himself and feels degraded to receive the doles and alms of others to support himself and family —will never be reduced to want so long as he has health. There need be and should be, few paupers here, and fewer charitable institutions. Our whole system of life is a notable failure. In our greed for self-aggrand-isement we neglect or impoverish those around us, and do our best to bring about pauperism and misery. Having succeeded we then commence to relieve distress and support the poor and their children. This we call charity, and take great credit to ourselves, as a nation, for the stupendous effort made to alleviate distress of every kind. But to my thinking, every institution for charitable purposes, instead of being a source of pride, should be a source of regret to any community, because it marks unmistakably a failure in life by a great many of the people. “ True charity,” it has been wisely said, “is that which helps a man to do the the work he is most fitted for, not that which keeps and encourages him in idleness.” I have told you how by a modification of the laws relating to land and the establishment of agricultural schools, this Colony ought, in process of time, to be covered throughout its length and breadth by peasant or working proprietors of the soil. But to yourselves who live and work in a city, the first essential is to obtain a cottage and plot of ground of your own. (To be continued.)

Horace Bastings, Esq., M.H.R., Dunedin ; Joseph Bennett, Esq., Auckland Wm. Buchanan, Esq., Auckland John Buchanan, Esq., Napier W. Coleman, Esq., AucklandJ. M. Dargaville, Esq., Auckland C. A. De Lautour, Esq., M.H.R., Gisborne G. Fenwick, Esq., Dunedin Allan Macdonald, Esq., M.H.R., Gisborne D. H. Mackenzie, Esq., Auckland F. J. Moss, Esq., M.H.R., Auckland Hon. W. H. Reynolds, M.L.C., Dunedin Wiremu Pere, Native Chief, Gisborne Henare Potae, Native Chief, Tokopaaru Bay J. B. Poynter, Esq., "Gisborne" D. Proudfoot, Esq., Dunedin C. A. Pritchard, Esq., Christchurch G. M. Reed, Esq., Gisborne R. 11. J. Reeves, Esq., M.H.R., Nelson R. C. Reid, Esq., M.H.R., Hokitika H. C. Robjohn, Esq., Napier Major Ropata, Native Chief j Tokomaru Bay J. M. Shera, Esq., Auckland R. Stout, Esq., Dunedin J. S. M. Thompson, Esq., Wellington W. H. Tucker, Esq,, J.P., Gisborne R. Wilson, Eaq., Dunedin The Managing Directors for the first twelve months are as follow —- Auckland—J, M. Dargaville, Esq., J. Friar Clarke, Esq. ..-■■■ Gisborne —Allan McDonald, Esq., M.H.R., .J B. Poynter, Esq., C. A; De LautOttr, Esq., M.11.R. r—, Napier— J. Liddle,,Esq. i -• *• Wellington—J. S. M. Thompson, Esq. East Coast—Wi Pere, Esq., Major Ropata. C 'A- < ; ■ ' Solicitors : Wellington—Mesgi’s Sievwright & Stout. Gisborne —W. j>. Rees. )

Bankers : The Colonial Bank of New Zealand. Brokers and Agents : Dunedin—J. B. Bradshaw Wellington —Lidbetter & Cooper. Auckland —A. Saunders Oaniaru —Joseph Booth. • Greymouth —G. M. Moss \ Hokitika—Messrs. Wade & Spence Christchurch—T.B.; Craig Napier—M. R. Miller Hon. Secretary : F. J. Moss, M.H.R., Wellington. The following is, an epitomeioft the objects of the Company as detailed in the Prospectus, which may be obtained from the Brokers and at the various Branches of the Colonial Bank :— The object of the Company is the Voluntary Association of the owners of Native Lands with European Capitalists, for the purpose of promoting settlement on the lands on the East Coast of the North. Island of New Zealand. This is intended to be attained by the Native Owners contributing blocks of land at original Or unimproved values, receiving paidup shares in the Company, for the same ; the European Shareholder? contributing capital to be called up in fixed and limited amounts as may be found requisite for conducting the operations of the Company. It is intended that the cash capital raised shall be employed in defraying expenses of management, completing titles, effecting surveys and subdivision into farm and township lots, opening means of access, conducting the sale and leasing of lands, prompting the formation of Special Settlement parties from England and elsewhere, making advances to settlers on security, and generally in utilising the lands and property vested in the Company to the best advantage. The Company is at present registered under the Joint Stock Companies Act, with a nominal capital of £25,000, by the promoters, who finding it necessary to increase their operations, transfer their interests to the extended proprietaryj retaining 1000 paid-up Capitalist and 1000 paid-up Original Shares in the Company. The Government having abandoned the purchase of Native lands, the Native owners in the Poverty! Bay and East Coast districts being strongly desirous of opening their lands for settlement, in a manner mutually beneficial to themselves and such Europeans as may be desirous of becoming associated with them on the principles proposed in the Prospectus, have, after making provision for their own requirements, entered into contracts for passing over large areas of valuable land to the Company, at prices based on. those of former Government purchases, receiving Shares in payment for the same. It is anticipated that the Company will be able to dispose of its lands to great advantage, as under its control, and with its guarantee, title will be absolutely good, while all lands purchased will be at once placed under the Land Transfer Act, and .will be sold from time to time for cash, or on long deferred payments, and generally in accordance with the regulations guiding the disposal of the Waste Lands of the Crown.

The Capitalist Shares will be preferential, having secured to them a minimum of eight per cent, per annum as a first charge on the' profits, with a further division of profits in' proportion to the capital invested.' Five Directors will be elected.'by the Capitalist Shareholders, and four by the Original Shareholders, the qualification of a Director being the possession of not less .than fifty shares. The Capitalist Shareholders will, under regulations, be entitled to purchase Lands of the Company for their own bona fide occupation surrendering their shares in payment, which shall be accepted as value for ten per cent, over the amounts paid up. The Native Shareholders will also be' entitled, under regulation, to select reserves for their own occupation, surrendering their shares in payment. Ten thousand shares will lie set apart for sale in Britain to intending b ona fide settlers, and an officer of the Company will be located in England to send out Sp ecial Settlement Parties for the Company’s Lands. To prevent the improper (diversion of the Natives’ interests, original sh; ires given in the

purchase of Lands will not be transferabl 'without the consent of a Native Committee and the approval of the Directors. On-the?e {principles it is believed that th formation-of -the East Coast Native Land an< Settlement Company will provide for th Natives the readiest and most beneficia method of placing their Lands for sale ane settlementj while the great and growing de mand in Great Britain among intending emi grants for Land in the Colonies, and the eve unsatisfied demand for land among would-b settlers in the Colony itself, the well-know fertility'of the Poverty Bay and East Coas Lands, tfieir suitableness for extensive settle ment, and the greatly enhanced value whic must be inevitably given to Lands thei situated by the promotion of settlement i this wholly, undeveloped district, combine t present to capitalists investing a prospect c remuneration, and an extension of sphere fc the operation of capital, probably unequalle by any other proposal- yet submitted in th Colony. The Memorandum of Association may I seen in the hands of the Solicitors and Broke of tlie Company, atid detailed prospectus! and forms of application for shares may be ha front the Brokers amd at the various Offices < the-Colonial Bank of New Zealand, also at tl Office of the Company, Eldon Chambers, Gi borne. 249