THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1888.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9186, 16 October 1888, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1888.

Whatever may be the ultimate outcome or Mr. W. L. Bees' Co-operative Colonisation scheme, his movements will be watched with interest by great numbers in the colony, and more particularly in our own provincial district. His energetic and sanguine temperament is well known, and there will be many to predict that like some previous efforts to exploit native lands and interests, his work will end in disappointment. All the same, it Avill be admitted that his operations have never before been conducted amid so influential and powerful surroundings, nor in circumstances so favourable for their development. Population in tlio United Kingdom is like a Hood clammed to bursting, and ready almost to flow forth by any opening. Wealth, also, which has been growing in the hands of its possessors till profitable occupation for it has almost become an impossibility, is earnestly craving for new outlets ; while at no previous period lias there been such an overpowering conviction coming over the public mind in England, that the colonies, with their unoccupied territories and undeveloped resources, present exactly the field that is required. With these three principal factors working in the same direction, it should not be surprising if a scheme proposing the combination of people, capital, and lands should present features or" no ordinary attractiveness ; and wo do not doubt that nothing will be wanting either in the eloquence or enthusiasm of Mr. Rees in placing those attractions in the moso favourable light, We confess that the figures in connection with Mr. liees' proposals, as given by our London correspondent in another column, are startling in their magnitude ; and that the scheme itself is of such a comprehensive kind that we aro somewhat bewildered by its vastness. We believe we express ttie general impression that will be conveyed by it when we say that its magnitude constitutes its danger, and that if it had been drawn on more modest lines there would be better prospect of its ultimate realisation. In general terms the proposal is the formation of an association or associations on the principle of partnership between the producer, the capitalist, and the consumer. That capital secured on the lauds and other property of the Association should bear a moderate rate of interest, and receive a share of cash profits and of increasing values ; that labour, whethei of managers or labourers, should be paid moderate wages, and be entitled to a share of the profits and values as above : and that the consumer in the United Kingdom, providing a market for the surplus products, should also be entitled to a share of the profits and values ; and that the Association should include personal settlement, act as agent for procuring land, seed, stock, tools, ifcc, for intending settlers, and provide a market for the produce, thus forming a complete system of co-operation in production, exchange, and distribution, in which all who help to create, wealth will share equitably in its enjoyment. In the carrying out of these principles it is proposed to form in tlio tirst instance settlements on tho lands of the East Coast of this island, of some 2000 Crofter and other Scotch families numbering say SOOO souls, in which the settlers should be sustained until they arc able to support themselves; and paying back by instalments the advances made by the Association, ultimately acquire possession of their holdings. The capital proposed to carry out these arrangements is iixed at half a million, of which £300,000 would be raised on a guarantee by the Imperial Government of 3 per cent., the balance being subscribed, £150,000 by shareholders, and £50,000 by the former native owners. With this the Association will purchase 111,000 acres of the lands to which the East Coast Native Land Settlement Company has acquired valid titles, the purchases to be extended if requirements demand. Passages, would be provided to the settlers cottages erected, and moderate wages paid, the Association taking the surplus products, transmitting them to England, providing markets, and generally conducting the operations on the cooperative principle, dividing the profits equitably after each triennial investigation. In explanation of the advantages arising from this system, it is stated that in place of each family having to shift for itself, to rely entirely upon the head of the household and his capability to adapt himself to new circumstances, it offers the advantages of mutual help, transplanting whole communities taken from the same localities, and providing the most favourable markets for their produce. " The uncertainty and the fear and the loneliness now surrounding the departure to a new country would be altogether obviated, each party of colonists being accompanied by duly-qualiiied guides or leaders, until finally settled ; and life with all its old associations, would be recommenced under conditions full of reasonable hope." The circumstances that make in favour of the realisation of this somewhat ambitious enterprise are rirst, that the public mind at home is fully alive to the importance of some large scheme for the relief of the congestion of the population, which i c keenly realised ; not only by the poorer classes, but by the wealthy and even the land-holding interests in the United Kingdom. Mr. Rees has evidently won the favourable interest of members of the Imperial Government, and the chances are in favour of the guarantee of 3 per cent, by the Imperial Government being obtained. If this is done there is very little doubt of the requisite capital being raised, and it is needless to say that, though the details of the scheme may be considerably modiiied, if the capital is forthcoming the major part of the difficulty is removed. Entrusted, as Mr. Rees and Wi Pere undoubtedly are with 250,000 acres of very fertile land, and with completed titles, on the East Coast, they are in a position to meet the preliminary necessity of land being available for the purpose ; and as any association entering on the work would be sure to see that it was placed on sound commercial principles, there is reason to believe that the movement may result in a very important settlement in our provincial district. That it may be so, will be the hearty wish of every colonist in New Zealand. The settlement of the country

by an industrious and thriving community is the one thing needful for raising New Zealand to a very high stage of prosperity ; and for deliciousness of climate, fertility of soil, and accessibility by harbours and inlets, there is certainly no more interesting field for such enterprise than the East Coast district, in the Avhole colony of New Zealand.