Part 1

Produced by Craig Kirkwood and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from scans of public domain works at The National Library of Australia.)

Transcriber’s Notes:

Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).

Additional Transcriber’s Notes are at the end.

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PROSPECTUS, &c.

The object of the SCOTS NEW ZEALAND LAND COMPANY, is to lay out the Capital of the Shareholders to the greatest advantage, in transporting them, their families, and friends, to New Zealand, and in purchasing Land and other Property, and to obtain Protection and other Social Advantages.

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At a Meeting of intending Shareholders, held at Perth, on the 24th of August 1839, PATRICK MATTHEW in the Chair, the following Prospectus of the SCOTS NEW ZEALAND LAND COMPANY, moved by William Gorrie, and seconded by William Taylor, was unanimously agreed to, and ordered to be published, the principal portion of the same having previously been examined and approved of by intending Shareholders in various parts of Scotland.

REASONS FOR EMIGRATING.

_1st_, Because a new country, free of debt and ancient encumbrances, with a plentiful supply of virgin soil at a low price, under all the advantages of modern science and art, affords a superior field for human industry, higher wages for labour, and greater returns upon capital, and also more healthful occupation, than an old densely-peopled country, where all the land is already appropriated, cultivated, and high-priced,--where capital is rendered comparatively unproductive, science in a great degree unavailing, and industry is crushed to the earth by a load of public debt, and where a great portion of the population follow unwholesome occupations, shut up from the fresh air of heaven.

_2d_, Because, in a new country, free of slavery, almost every man is a holder of property,--deriving an income at the same time from property and from labour, a state of things propitious to liberty, and where a family of children is of the utmost value in assisting their parents (the happiest condition of human existence, alike favourable to the development of mind and body, and increase of population); whereas in an old country, at least in Britain, the many are entirely dependent for support upon labour-hire alone, and a family in too many cases the entailment of misery and starvation.

_3d_, Because, in the case of small capitalists, or middle-class men of circumscribed income having families, to remain in this country, is merely to sacrifice their children to their own selfish love of present ease, and cowardly _vis inertiæ_,--it being the lot of the greater portion of their children here to sink prematurely under the wasting confinement and miserable prospects of the counting-house clerk and shopman, and the small portion of them who may survive, and struggle up to a condition to support a family, are for the most part become diseased or aged,--finely illustrating the working of the destructive and preventive Malthusian checks, the admiration of certain political economists.[1]

_4th_, Because, in the present peculiar condition of Britain, great capitalists are enabled to undersell small capitalists, rendering it a matter of necessity for small capitalists to emigrate, or to sink to the condition of hired labourers.

REASONS FOR PREFERRING NEW ZEALAND TO EVERY OTHER EMIGRATION FIELD, AND FOR FORMING A SCOTS NEW ZEALAND COMPANY.

The climate of New Zealand is more temperate than that of any other country, and pre-eminently healthy. The soil is rich, and the supply of rain being regular, capable of producing all the grain and fruits of Europe in great perfection,--potatoes two crops in the year, good pasture at all seasons, and wool much superior to that of Australia. New Zealand is, besides, most advantageously situated for obtaining a market by disposing of its produce to the numerous South Sea whaling vessels which frequent its shores, and in supplying the wants of Australia at all times, but especially during the terrible visitations of drought and injuries by blight, to which that great island is so liable,--natural disadvantages which will limit Australia, at least for a long period, to a grazing country, rendering it more profitable to import agricultural produce from New Zealand than raise it at home.

Nothing is so important to the success of a new colony as a temperate climate. In New Zealand, the thermometer (Fahrenheit), during the day in winter, is seldom known to fall below 40°, and any slight frost which may occur during the night disappears when the sun has arisen. The summer heat generally ranges from 60° to 75°, very rarely reaching 80° in the parts of the northern island nearest the equator,--neither the cold of winter, nor heat and drought of summer, causing any serious check to the pasture fields, which continue in a growing state all the season round, rendering a hoarded winter supply and housing for bestial unnecessary. This is of the utmost consequence to the husbandman, as a vast deal of labour is required, in nearly every country suited to the British race, to construct houses to contain the stock, and to lay up provender for their sustenance during the inclement winter, and is more especially advantageous in the case of new colonies, where the industry of the husbandman is directed chiefly to the rearing of stock. In New Zealand, the labour of the emigrant will be doubly productive to what it is in almost every other emigration field suited to the British race.

The Islands of New Zealand are estimated to be nearly of the extent of Great Britain and Ireland,--about seventy millions of acres. They contain numerous friths and rivers, some of which are navigable to a considerable distance inland,--the Waikato Rivers for about 200 miles, with a great extent of country along the banks, of exceedingly fertile soil. The whole native population of these extensive regions does not equal that of Edinburgh. The natives have exhibited much barbarity and ferocity against their enemies, or those they considered to be such; but where Europeans have appeared, not in the character of an enemy, they have been tolerated to live amongst them, and even treated with kindness. The Missionaries, with their families, now about 100 individuals, have resided amongst them without personal injury for more than twenty years, and about two-thirds of the Northern Island is said to be under their influence. During the last fourteen years, with a very considerable number of sailors, lumberers, and traders, roaming over these Islands, and mixing with the natives, not one well attested case of murder has been laid to the charge of the natives, evincing a degree of forbearance and respect on their part, which perhaps would not have been equalled in any country of Europe. The extreme healthiness of the Missionaries and their families, considering that they have been the first Colonists in a very remote wilderness, almost destitute of the comforts of civilized life, and their success in agriculture and grazing, several of them possessing fine productive grain farms, and thousands of cattle, is conclusive in regard to the salubrity and steady fertility of New Zealand,--perhaps no first colony in any other country has ever been so successful and healthy. We extract the following account of New Zealand from “Emigration Fields,” a work recently published by Adam Black, Edinburgh.

“Estimating the advantages of position, extent, climate, fertility, adaptation for trade,--all the causes which have tended to render Britain the emporium of the world, we can observe only one other spot on the earth equally, if not more favoured by nature, and that is New Zealand. Serrated with harbours securely insulated, having a climate temperated by surrounding ocean, of such extent and fertility as to support a population sufficiently numerous to defend its shores against any possible invading force, it, like Great Britain, also possesses a large neighbouring continent (Australia), from which it will draw resources, and to which it bears the relation of a rich homestead, with a vast extent of outfield pasturage. In these advantages it equals Britain, while it is superior to Britain in having the weather-gage of an immense commercial field,--the innumerable rich islands of the Pacific,--the gold and silver producing countries of Western America (by far the richest in the precious metals of any of the world),--the vast accumulations of man in Japan and China--all these lie within a few weeks’ sail.

“The south temperate zone, from the excess of ocean, has a much more equable temperature throughout the year than the north. New Zealand, considering its territorial extent, participates in this oceanic equality in an extraordinary degree, by reason of its insularity and oblong narrow figure, stretching across the course of the prevalent winds from lat. 34° to 48° south,--the most enviable of latitudes. On this account, it enjoys a finer, more temperate climate than any other region of the world; and, in consequence, the trees, from the principle of adaptation, are only biennially deciduous, and present, as well as the herbage, a never-failing verdure. The great mountain-chain, or back-bone ridge of New Zealand, which extends through nearly fourteen degrees of latitude, attracting and condensing the high-towering clouds and vapour of the Southern Ocean, affords a constant source of showers and irrigation and freshness to the lower country; and this regular supply of moisture, under the most balmy atmosphere, and the generative influence of a sun brilliant as that of Italy, produces an exuberance of vegetation surpassing that of any other temperate country,--the richness and magnificence of the forest scenery being only equalled by that of the islands of the eastern tropical Archipelago;[2] and the mountains themselves, the sublime southern Alps, more elevated than the highest of the Alps of Switzerland, upheaved, from the depths of the great south sea, in some places to more than three miles of altitude, and, from their volcanic character, of the boldest, most abrupt outline, are perhaps unequalled in all the world. The character of surrounding objects must exert a powerful influence upon the genius of a people. These stupendous mountains, with innumerable rills pouring down their verdant slopes,--their great valleys occupied by the most beautiful rivers,--their feet washed by the ceaseless south-sea swell,--their flanks clothed with the grandest of primeval forests,--their bosoms veiled in cloud,--and their rocky and icy scalps piercing the clear azure heaven,--must go to stamp, as far as earthly things can have impression, a poetical character upon the genius of the Austral British. The small portion of New Zealand already under cultivation, yields, in luxuriant abundance and perfection, all the valuable fruits and grain of Europe; and, unlike Canada (where the husbandman has to endure life-consuming toil in the very hot enervating summer, to lay up provender for the subsistence of all his bestial during the long and rigorous winter), stock of all descriptions fatten in this favoured region, at all seasons, upon the spontaneous produce of the wilderness.[3] The climate is also the most favourable to the development of the human species,[4] producing a race of natives of surpassing strength and energy. From the mountainous interior, the country is, in a wonderful degree, permeated by never-failing streams and rivers of the purest water, affording innumerable falls, suited to machinery, adjacent to the finest harbours. The forests abound in timber of gigantic size, peculiarly adapted for naval purposes and for house-building, and, from its mild workable quality, much more economically convertible and serviceable than the timber of any other country in the southern hemisphere; most of which, from extreme hardness, is almost unmanageable.[5] Millions of acres, it is said, are covered with the famed New Zealand flax (the great value of which is now coming to be appreciated, and which, in case of necessity, will render Britain independent of the Russian supply of hemp and flax); and around the shores are the most valuable fisheries, from the mackerel to the whale; in the pursuit of which latter, many of our vessels resort, though at the other extremity of the earth. Combining all these natural internal advantages with the most favoured position for trade, New Zealand must ultimately reign the Maritime Queen of the South-eastern hemisphere.

“Estimating these surpassing natural advantages in their peculiar adaptation to the energetic maritime British race, it is somewhat remarkable that no regular attempt has been made by Britain to colonize New Zealand. This must have arisen from the numbers and barbarous character of the native population; a population so small, however, reduced as it now is, as to be quite out of all proportion to the extent of territory, and which exists only around some of the sheltered bays of the coast, and in a few of the rich valleys of the interior. According to Mr Yate, and the other missionaries who have had the best means of estimating their numbers, the whole amount may be about 110,000. Another writer states: ‘The inhabitants, in fact, have not, in any sense of the word, taken possession of the country which they call their own. It is still the undivided domain of nature, and they are merely a handful of stragglers who wander about the outskirts.’ Thus, densely populated Britain, with the means of effectual relief, is allowed to remain writhing under the preventive and destructive checks, while a region, the finest in the world,--a region which, beyond all others, can lay claim to the name of PARADISE, is lying an untenanted wilderness.”[6]

Already British emigrants of steady character are beginning to flock to this fine country. The New Zealand Land Company, a company of land speculators in London, have made and are making purchases of lands in New Zealand, at almost nominal price, from the natives, or from others who say they have purchased from the natives, and they have sold in this country to intending emigrants upwards of 100,000 ac. at L.1 per acre,--land which neither the Land Company itself nor these intending emigrants have ever seen, nor do the latter even know in what part of the islands their lots may be situated, neither have they received any guarantee from that Company that they will receive them at all;[7] and several thousands of these emigrants, with their working people, are now departing from our shores.

The Scots New Zealand Land Company is not a land speculating company, consisting of great capitalists residing in this country and trafficking in New Zealand with intent to profit. It is a company of industrious men, chiefly working small capitalists, who are to go out to New Zealand to make their own market, and, after seeing the article, to purchase a territory either at first hand from the natives, or from any other individual or company, wherever they can obtain lands best and cheapest, and to occupy these as soon as bought, thus leaving no room for mistake as to tenures, multiplicity of claimants, or doubtful claims. They, with their families, will themselves cultivate the lands they purchase, as is done in the non-slave portion of the United States, where the principles of colonization, from greater experience, are better understood than in Britain, and where the practice is successful beyond all parallel, the only instance of successful colonization on an extensive scale without slavery,--indeed, the only manner in which colonization can now succeed without slavery, notwithstanding of the “sufficient price,” (merely a new Corn Law!) or any other servant-producing scheme it is possible to devise.

The Scots New Zealand Land Company of emigrants will manage their own affairs,--their own property, while existing as a company, and their political and social matters till the British crown shall interfere to supply a government. They will form their own regulations in New Zealand, suited to local circumstances, with the full power of modifying or changing these _immediately_, as events may require. They will not be subservient to the rule and dictation of a company of land speculators, or committee ambitious of governing power, residing at the other side of the globe, who may have interests and principles, or prejudices, distinct from or opposed to those of the colonists, and who, even with the best intentions of acting for the good of the colonists, must, from ignorance of facts, at least only receiving their knowledge of these through a colouring or distorting medium, combined with the long period of time that must elapse before the Home Committee can be made acquainted with the necessity of any change of regulations and orders for the change arrive out,--be full as likely to direct wrong as aright.

The evil effects of a managing Committee, at the other side of the Globe, ignorant of facts and of a governor without sufficient discretionary power, has been exemplified in the colony of South Australia (founded in 1836), where, in consequence, the first emigrants were delayed a season after going out (consuming much of their means), waiting till their lots were surveyed and prepared for being occupied,--the working surveyors having deserted, from insufficient pay, and a quarrel having arisen betwixt the Governor and Colonel Light, and other officials, respecting the site of the capital. The unfavourable condition of the colony, as late as February 1839 (corresponding to August in Britain),--only one grain field (it is said) existing,--the sheep, which had been imported at very high prices, perishing from the drought, and of little value, and the portion of the emigrants, destitute of capital, shipped off in such numbers, to act as servants, in a state approaching to insubordination,--is attributable, at least partly, to the same source, the ignorance and prejudices, or rather the erroneous Theories, of a Home Committee. The people which the Home Committee have so unwisely sent out, and encouraged to go out,--poor improvident men, without habits of forethought, economy, or steadiness of character,--and capitalists themselves, not inured to work, and expecting to benefit by the abundance of hired labour, but most of whom, in effect, have become mere gambling land-jobbers--are not the classes suited for colonists. Colonization can only proceed successfully, under the three following systems:--_1st_, Compulsory labour or slavery. _2d_, Working small capitalists, working families. _3d_, Co-operative working societies, possessing capital. The plain fact is, that the Swan River and South Australia colonization has been sacrificed, and the New Zealand London colonization is about to be sacrificed, to a scheme of master and servants, under circumstances where master and servants, at least to any considerable extent, is impracticable. In a new colony, at least under the present diffusion of knowledge amongst British men, _it is imperative that the majority of the colonists be working capitalists_. This is absolutely necessary to solder a new society together. Their fine spun plausible theories, totally unsupported by facts, or rather totally in opposition to facts, about “_the sufficient price_,”--_fixing the price of fresh land so high as to keep it above the reach of the poorer class--thus forcing the working men, carried out, to work as servants_--desirable theories, which have imposed upon the understanding of many, and amongst others, upon that of the late Colonial Secretary Lord Glenelg--are mere moonshine.[8]

Independent of mutual protection, conveniency of transport, and other social advantages, a principal object of the Scots New Zealand Land Company, is, that the shareholders may purchase from the sellers of land in New Zealand, in a body, and not raise the price greatly by the demand which individual competition would create. The following scheme of the Company has been drawn up, as much as possible suited for the advantage of small working capitalists, on whose efficient support the success of the colony will depend.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] While two-thirds of the world are lying almost waste, it is yet rather premature to speak of preventive or destructive checks--war, nunneries, _infanticide_, single-blessedness. The latter, recommended as preferable to colonization by political economists, may be left to their own especial practice.

[2] “‘It is a most beautiful country. I have visited the Brazils, the whole of Van Diemen’s Land, and New South Wales, and been on the Continent, but I never saw a country in the world that equalled it (New Zealand). In scenery, climate, and productiveness, it is a perfect paradise.’--(See T. B. Montefiore, Parliamentary Evidence, 1838.)”

[3] “The missionaries have been sojourning in New Zealand for the last twenty-three years. They, with their families, amount to upwards of ninety individuals, and, with the exception of infants, only one death (it is said) has occurred amongst them. In this country, according to the Rev. W. Yate, ‘invalids become well, the healthy robust, and the robust fat. It has a perpetual spring, the whole atmosphere seems impregnated with perfumes, and every breath inhaled stimulates the system, and strengthens man for the labour which may lie before him. I am persuaded (says he), that all graminivorous animals, wild or domestic, would thrive well in this temperate clime, if allowed to range at large in the forests, on the hills, in the valleys, or on the plains.’”

[4] “‘Marriages among the English have been prolific, in a very extraordinary degree, of a most healthy progeny.’--(See official document by T. Busby, Esq., British Resident.)”

[5] “‘There is a great variety of timber in the country fit for all purposes, as for shipbuilding, domestic, and other purposes. The forests of New Zealand afford perhaps the finest spars for masts and yards in the world, and which are extremely valuable. In India, the wood being there very heavy, they cannot get any description of wood to make good spars, and those taken from New Zealand find there a ready sale.’--(See J. L. Nicholas, Esq., Par. Evidence.)”

[6] “Mr Flatt, an agriculturist from the East of England, of considerable professional and general knowledge, and who has lately returned from New Zealand, where he had been remaining several years, informs the Author, that in crossing the North Island, he travelled along a tract of fine alluvial soil in the lower valley of the Waikato rivers, equal in extent, but richer, than the alluvial level between Cambridge and Hull,--the kernel of England. Mr Flatt also corroborates the statements of others respecting the salubrity, mildness, and beauty of the climate,--that it is a land of sunny-showers, and that is the case of heavy rains, the clouds clear off immediately when the rain ceases, and a most brilliant sun shines out.”

[7] “The Company are not to be considered as guaranteeing the title, except as against their own acts.” See published “Terms of Purchase” by the New Zealand Land Company, and signed John Ward. This is the amount of their boasted security of title.