GENERAL BOOTH'S SUBMERGED TENTH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2006, 4 August 1892, Page 10

GENERAL BOOTH'S SUBMERGED TENTH.

(Fjiom Ouk Own Corhespondent.) Wellington, July 28. The correspondence regarding General Booth's scheme] and its trial in the colonies was submitted to Parliament to : day. The first letter is one from the Earl of Onslow to the Premier, stating that his Excellency had had an interview with General Booth, and had given him some particulars of the systems of land tenure in New Zealand. Lord Onslow expressed the opinion that if was highly desirable that the Government should give General Booth an opportunity of putting his scheme to a practical test. The main features of it did not materially differ from those of the village settlement system. If it proved a failure, the worst that could happen was that the Government would have incurred some expense in roadmaking — perhaps in building a school — and they would have to set against that any advance which would be ma.de, and that their land would be in a more or less improved condition. Lord Onslow suggested that two conditions should be laid down — namely, that the first batch of immigrants should have first undergone probation on the farm colony in England, and that a guarantee Fhould be given that to the best knowledge of the officers most capable of judging in the army none of those first sent had been convicted criminals. He also thought that the settlement should consist of persons chosen from all ranks of the army. If General Booth were willing to comply with these requirements the Government should submit proposals to Parliament to set aside a block of 5000 acres of land in a bush country, and throw open for sale or selection within five years another 5000 acres adjoining. A peppercorn rental should be exacted for the first 30 years. The army would have to undertake considerable expense in passage money and in maintenance for the first year or two. This they would ultimately recoup, and the Government might consider how this should be secured on the land as a second charge for any rent or interest duo to the Government. The Government cited the success of the C *atcrbury settlers in Waimamuka, in the Auckland district, where the settlers chose their own companions, as an instance of that which would reward the trial of this scheme. Replying to this letter, tho Premier stated that Ministers agreed that an opportunity should be afforded to General Booth to give his scheme a trial in New Zealand, and were prepared to ask for a general power in the Land Bill to set aside 5000 acres of land with an adjoining 5000 acres for settlement for this or any similar organisation. Ministers agreed to the stipulations mentioned by Lord Onslow. They considered that the tenure should be perpetual lease, but with regard to the price or rental special privileges should be granted. The question as to whether the rent should be perpetual or for a longer term than 30 years was under consideration with a view that legislation should be introduced. As to the passage money ( being secured upon the land, the army would have the right under the ordinary special settlement conditions to make their own regulations and bye-laws. In a further letter the Hon. W. P. Reeves informs an officer of the Salvation Army that the land now at the disposal of the Government for settlement in such colonies as General Booth proposed was mostly situated in the southern part of the North Island, and was rough bush land