AMBITIOUS SCHEME.

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1423, 6 November 1923, Page 6

AMBITIOUS SCHEME.

APPLICATION FOR ROYAL CHARTER. LONDON, Sept. 21. About six months ago Mr Leslie W. A. Macarthur came over to this country for the purpose of setting on foo-t an ambitious scheme for settling migrants on various unoccupied lands in the Dominion. His immediate interest is with the estate known as Maraetai, on the banks of the Waikato River, between Lake Taupo and Lake Rotorua. As a guarantee of what may be done with this pumice country, he has the development of the adjoining area, Matarawa, to point to. This is under cultivation, and apparently yielding its owners a good return.

Since his arrival here Mr Macarthur has been quietly working at his scheme and has been in touch with the Mayors of all the chief towns in England, but his first important project is to obtain a Royal Charter which will undoubtedly give the public a greater confidence. In an application which he has placed before the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the members of the British Cabinet he requests the issue of a Royal Charter authorising the applicant as executive organiser to institute the proposed Anglo-New Zealand Developments to raise funds by contribution, or issue of debentures upon the basis of a nominal capital of £3,000,000 with power to make initial allotment up to £1,500,000 or as the contingencies of expenditure necessitate in carrying out the progressive operations in the development of the latent industrial resources in the Dominion of New Zealand. “That such debentures shall bear not less than 4 per cent, per annum, subject to redemption periods of 3,5, 10, 15 years as desired by contributors. Expenditure funds to be raised by periodical ‘calls’ in such amounts as may be necessary to provide sufficient moneys to efficiently carry out the aims and objects of memorial — viz.: To acquire approved areas in the Dominion of New Zealand for development, etc., also funds for building, fencing, agricultural implements, stock and general farming contingencies, and for the initiation of other industrial pursuits and general development of the latent industrial resources of the Dominion of New Zealand.

“That the executive organiser shall upon issue of the Royal Charter nominate seven members to form the initiative ‘Board of Control’ in England for the approval of the Government to hold office for a period of three years. “That the executive organiser shall nominate to the Ministerial Cabinet of the Dominion of New Zealand seven members for approval to form the initiative Advisory Board to co-ope-rate with the Board of Control in England, to hold office for a period of three years as more fully set. forth in memorial.

“That upon issue of Royal Charter and nomination of Board of Control and Advisory Board, the executive organiser will arrange with Propaganda Committees in England and New Zealand to expedite and facilitate general furtherance of organisation. That the respective Boards will appoint London and New Zealand bankers, solicitors, and other officials to fulfil Statutory requirements.” Duties' of Advisory Soar'd. The memorial which accompanies

the application contains the following clauses:—

“The Advisory Board resident in New Zealand shall deal directly with all matters of land purchase, machinery, and general operative expenditure, but items of land purchase or other expenditure involving an outlay of or exceeding £IO,OOO shall first be submitted for the approval of the Board of Control in England with all details, plans, and full explanatory data, before such expenditure is incurred.

In all matters of land occupation, or lease (with right to purchase) as set forth in agreements, until all purchase moneys have been paid or rents due and all advances made or moneys expended for buildings, stock, implements, etc., shall be repaid, the Advisory Board, resident in the Dominion of New Zealand, shall hold the powers for all legal purposes of ‘immediate landlord,’ and the occupier or lessee shall during the period of tenure be subject to all rules, regulations, and conditions of agreement entered into with the Advisory Board before taking possession 'or occupying allotted area. “All matters of expenditure exceed£loo shall be submitted for the consideration of the Advisory Board; expenditure under such sum may be authorised by the executive organiser or, in his absence, the supervisor; a report of all expenditure shall be detailed in monthly statement to the Advisory Board.

“The Board of Control in England shall arrange for passages to New Zealand for approved applicants desirous of availing themselves of the special opportunities afforded by the Anglo-New Zealand Development Organisation.”

It is too early yet to predict what will be the outcome of this ambitious scheme. With the present enthusiasm for migration and the sympathy of the Imperial authorities, there seems no reason why it should not be carried through. Much, of course, depends upon the influence that Mr Macarthur can command in this country, but there is still the vital question as to whether the type of settler procurable will find it possible to face the difficult problem of breaking in pumice land.