A MODERN ARCADIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23886, 14 August 1939, Page 7

A MODERN ARCADIA

PROTECTORATE OF SARAWAK AN INTERESTING HISTORY RULED BY WHITE RAJAH 'Special ro Dailv Times) AUCKLAND, Aug. 13. For the past 10 years a former Paeroa youth, Mr D. L. Leach, has been one of several New Zealanders in the Government service of Sarawak, North Borneo, which is ruled by the only white rajah in the world,' Sir Charles Vyner-Brooke. Mr Leach returned by the Maetsuycker to-day to spend five months' leave in New Zealand and he was accompanied by Mrs Leach and their two infant sons. No Taxation The whole history of Sarawak was a very interesting one, said Mr Leach, and it was a delightful place in which to live. It was a selfgoverned British protectorate, where there was no taxation. "This will probably appeal to New Zealanders," he said. "Its main product was rubber, while oil and pepper were other important industries. All provisions were obtained from Australia and New Zealand through Singapore, and they depended completely on cool storage for fresh meat and butter. " The administration of the State is considered very satisfactory, and the people, who are largely Dyaks and Malays, are happy under the present regime," continued Mr Leach. " They love their rajah, who is the third in line. The first was his great-uncle, the second his and the present heir is his brother, Captain Bertram Brooke. The title was first bestowed by a Malay rajah in return for war service, and it must be handed down from father to son or brother." Mr Leach is associated with the Land and Survey Department of Sarawak, which is one of the largest departments in the country. There are several other men who were born in various parts of New Zealand serving in the same Government service. Mr Leach last visited New Zealand over four years ago, and his elder son was born in the East. The other was born in New Zealand when Mrs Leach was here about two years ago.