DEFERRED DIVIDENDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15500, 6 January 1914, Page 9

DEFERRED DIVIDENDS.

CURIOSITY IN COMPANIES.

Washington, December 28. If the recently-filed articles of a new corporation are carried out, one of the most curious fleets of "battleships" ever seen in the world's history will be brought into being. The corporation proposes to build 49 " battleships," one named after each State and the district of Columbia, and the " sea" for these vessels will be the highways of America. They will run on wheels and will be propelled by gasoline engines after the manner of automobiles .will carry ■a. "crew" of 10, and will carr seats for 350 people. Preachers, singers, and other accessories to religion will be on board, and wherever the conditions appear propitious the " battleship" will come to anchor and the truth will be handed out by sermon and hymn. The boats will be each 18ft long, 6ft wide, and 6Jft deep, and will bear on the side, in glaring letters, the words " Messenger of Peace."

The corporation's articles provide for a capital of £200,000 in one-dollar shares, and each share, eertififieatc will contain a statement telling the purposes of the corporation ,and declaring thti the churches, the Salvation Army, and other religious bodies have failed in their work. The shares are payable in full, with interest, when Jesus comes. A dividend is promised throughout eternity, and each shareholder is promised at least one star in his, or her, crown for giving assistance to the cause.