KING'S INTERESTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22401, 23 April 1936, Page 14

KING'S INTERESTS

IANDLORD AND FARMER MODERN HOUSING SCHEMES CONCERN FOR UNEMPLOYED The wide interests of His Majesty King Edward VIII., who was regarded in England to-day as the best landlord and one of the foremost farmers, were referred to by a distinguished visitor to Auckland, Major Hilgrove McCormick, secretary and keeper of the records of tho Duchy of Cornwall estate, who arrived by the Wanganella yesterday from Sydney. Major McCormick, who is accompanied by Mrs. McCormick, is on a six months' holiday trip, and after about a fortnight in New Zealand will return to Sydney and • later to London. His Majesty had wide interests, and he would not content himself with a mere superficial knowledge of them, said Major McCormick. He was continually seeking knowledge, particularly with regard to agriculture and housing Echemes. On the Duchy of Cornwall estate/ which comprised about 137,000 acres, including a large number of farms, the King keenly followed and directed farming activities. Recently he had made a special effort to encourage farmers to visit London, at least once 'a year, for tho purpose of studying markets. In Kennington and the Borough of Lambeth, His Majesty was the landlord of many properties and blocks of workers' flats and homes, added Major McCormick. Much of Kennington had recently been rebuilt under a housing scheme supervised hi' the King. Over 200 workmen's flats, erected on modern lines', had been provided at minimum rents,, which varied according to tho earnings of the worker. "As is no doubt known throughout the Empire, His Majesty has done some valuable work in connection with unemployment and the relief of distress, 'said Major McCormick, who has taken 'a particular interest in the unemployment problem himself, being a prominent- member of the Personal Service League, a body which has done a great -deal for the unemployed throughout England. As a result of the King's interest in the problem at Lambeth, ■added Major McCormick, five camps " were organised every year for unemployed men and their families.