The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-06
NEW ZEALAND IDEAS
INTERESTING EXPERIMENTS IN o.
CIALIsM ny THE GOVERNMENT.
Railroads successfully Operated and
the Government Asserts Its Right
to Land Ownership.
A. G. Tradenburg. in the outlook.

A. G. ~Tradenburg, in the Outlook.
During its brief history as an English
colony. New Zealand has. perhaps. seen
more interesting experiments in state ac-
tivity than any other country in the world
Some Of these experiments are in the direc-
ton Of state socialism,; more of them cannot
be said TO be socialistic in the strict sense
of the term, as they have been undertaken
in order to aid and increase private enter
prise. This growth in state activity has
been due principally to the superior credit
of the government over individuals or COM
panies- British capitalists were slow to adj
vance funds TO distant companies, but
the credit of the colonial government has
been excellent. The idea has also been
prominent that the government shoul5 I'M
dertake certain enterprises which could not
promise to be remunerative at the start,
but which were essential to the growth
and development of the colony. 1t has I'M
q~uestionably been the prevalent opinion in
New Zealand that the state is more than
an organization for the purpose of govern
ment, and that it can properly undertake
many enterprises which are commonly car
ried on by individuals. AS a result, most
of those industries which are included under
the term natural monopolies' are oper-
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eminent or by the municipalities. The state
has also successfully been invoked 10
change social conditions by various means.
especially by taxation. This extension Of
state activity is called by its opponents in
England and New Zealand socialism; its
friends call it liberalism or new liber-
alism.'
In the early days of the colony public
works merely kept pace with spread of set
Element, but in 1870 came the public works
and immigration policy" which provided
for public works in advance of settlement.
Under it about flO, OO0,O 900 were borrowed
from English capitalists and expended in
the construction of roads and railroads
in all parts of the colony. the extension of
telegraph lines. the encouragement of immi-
grafton. the purchase of native lands and
the supply of water to the gold fields. The
demand for railroads and public works
caused the original proposals to be depart
pended. Up to March 81, 1893, a total of
EGG, 1854 had been expended under this act.
The expenditure on directly reproductive
works has been ZIG, S13. S39. These works
were not undertaken SO much for the sake
of gaining revenue as for social purposes.
The railroads have yielded considerable
1928 were Il, O,522; the net earnings were
f449, $50. At the present time there are but
$50 miles of private railways in New Zea-
land. The expenditure for telegraphs and
water works in the gold fields has been
made for similar reasons. and these works
have yielded a fair profit TO the govern
ment, but they will be passed over in order
to give space to some more novel, If not
more interesting, experiments.
BUREAU OF INDUSTRIES.
About two years and a half ago the gov
eminent established the bureau of indus
tries, its object being to assist laborers in
finding employment and to aid local in
dustries. The central Office is in the gov
eminent building at Wellington, and in
each of the large towns is a branch office.
Police sergeants and constables act as
agents In the rural districts, and are re-
Quired to send regular reports to the CEN
trail Office regarding the requirements Of
and employers. Any person can
gain as to wages, market, etc.,
visit to any office in the bureau. New ar
rivals in New Zealand can at once find
where their services will be in most de-
mand, and workmen out OF employment
easily learn whether they can get work
in another part of the colony. This great
employment bureau has done
good service, and is looked upon as abSo-
lutely safe and reliable. Its services are Of
fered free of charge. During the year from
April /. 1892, TO March 81, 1893, the number of
the department was 1874. During the
twenty-five months of it's existence
6, 467 men were assisted in finding work.
When 1t is considered that the total popula-
ton of New Zealand is less than 100000 the
great service done by this bureau is mani
fest.
In 1869 the Legislature of the colony pro-
vided for the establishment of the New
government life insurance depart
ment. Prior to this time there had been
and residents of New Zealand
had suffered heavily. The chief object of
this department was to provide absolute
rests on the solid foundation of state
credit, the government guaranteeing full
payment Of all policies. The department
has from the first enjoyed a remarkable
prosperity. In August, 1893. the accumu-
lated fund amounted TO over f2,00O,OO0. All
New Zealand property. and the department
does no business outside of New Zaland.
ment Insurance Office had 3O,Sl6 existing
policies. insuring a gross amount OF 1885,
Another public institution peculiar TO
New Zealand is the public trust Office.
This was established in 1872, In order to
secure a convenient recourse for persons
sire to form trusts in the colony, and also
for the convenience of persons who may
be unable or nnwilling to undertake or
posed upon them. The colony guarantees
against any loss from investments made
against loss by delays in making the in
and guarantees that the inter
est determined from tim. 70 time by order
in council shall be regularly and punctual-
" paid. Mr.. Warburton, who is at the
head of this department., says: The pub
lie trustee, in his official capacity, never
dies. never leaves the country and never
becomes disqualified or involved in private
difficulties or distrusted. 1t will thus be
evident that, by his appointment as trus-
tee. the preparation Of the numerous
deeds, and the consequent expense, which
might become necessary in the case Of a
private trustee. are altogether obviated."
TRUE IDEA OF LAND OWNERSHIP.
The government makes no attempt to
gain revenue from the public trust office.
In regard to land, New Zealand has in
troduced some interesting innovations.
which are called liberal or socialistic, ac-
cording as they are approved or condemned.
No person can purchase more than $40 acres
In extent if first-class land, or more than
9 900 acres of second-class land. In addition
to actual sale of land, real estate is let
by the government on occupation with
right 10 purchase. and by leases In per-
petuity.
TO purchase, land Is held under a license
for TWENTY-FIVE years. At any tine subse-
uuent to the first ten years, and after hav-
ing resided on the land and made improve
ments. the occupier can purchase the land.
or can exchange his license for a lease in
Under the occupation with right
of purchase a rent of ) per cent. on the