The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1894-05-03

i
| give space to some more novel, III not
| more interesting, experiments.
| About two years and half ago the
| Government established the Bureau
| of Industries, it's object being to assist
| laborers in finding employment and
| to aid local industries. The central
office is in the Government building
| at Wellington, and in each of the
| large towns is branch Office. Police
sergeants and constables act as agents
| in the rural districts, and are required
| to send regular reports to the central
Office regarding the requirements of
workmen and employers. Any per-
son can gain information as to wages,
market, ETC., in any part of New Zea-
land by paying visit to any office of
the Bureau. New arrivals in New
Zealand can at once find where their
services will will be in most demand,
and wOrkmen out of employment can
easily learn whether they can get
work in another part of the Colony.
This great Government employment
bureau has done good service, and is
looked upon as absolutely safe and re-
liable. Its services are offered free of
charge. During the year from April
/, 1892, to March 81, 1898, the number
of men put in the way of getting en-
ployment by the department was 1874.
During the first twenty-five months
of its existence 6467 men were assisted
in finding work. When it is consid-
cred that the total population of New
Zealand is less than seven hundred
thousand, the great service done by
this Bureau is manifest.
In 1869 the Legislature of the Col
ony provided for the establishment of
the New Zealand Government Life
Insurance Department. Prior to this
time there had been numerous failures
of foreign insurance companies, and
residents of New Zealand had suf-
fered heavily. The chief object of
this Department was to provide abso-
lutte security for every policy. This
security rests on the solid foundation
of State credit, the Government guar
anteeiDg full payment OF all policies.
The Department has from the first
enjoyed remarkable prosperity. In
August, 1898, the accumulated fund
amounted 10 over two million pounds.
All securities held by this Depart
ment are in New Zealand property,
and the DepaI tment does no business
outside of New Zealand. At the end
of the year 1892 the Government In
surance Office had 3O,316 existing poll
cies, insuring gross amount OF 6 49,,
036, 900.
Another public institution peculiar
to New Zealand is the Public Trust
Office. This was established in 1872,
in order to secure convenient re-
course for persons in New Zealand
and abroad who may desire to form
trusts in the colony, and also for the
convenience of persons who may be
unable or unwilling to undertake or
continue the administration OF trusts
imposed upon them. The colony
guarantees against any loss from in
vestments made in bad securities; it
also guarantees against loss by delays
in making the investment, and guar
antees that the interest determined
from time to time by order in Council
shall be regularly and punctually paid.
Mr.. Warburton, who is at the head of
this department., says: "The Public
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 trustee, the prepare
ton of the numerous deeds, and the
consequent expense, which might be-
come necessary in the case of a private
trustee, are altogether obviated.."
The Government makes no attempt
to gain revenue from the Public Trust
Office. During the administration of
the trust charges are made which are
no more than sufficient to cover actual |
cost. 1T is the duty of the Public |
Trustee to administer interstate estates
when relatives are unknown, or are
known to reside outside of the colony.
AS might be surmised from the ad
vantages offered, the Public Trust |
Office is regarded as one of the most
beneficial of public institutions. AT
the close of the year 1892 there were
in the office 1912 estates, with value |
of Ell 1884, 759.
In regard to land, New Zealand has
some interesting innova-
tons, which are called Liberal or So |
according as they are APP
proved or condemned. No person
can purchase more than six hundred
and forty acres in extent, if first |
class land or more than two |
thousand acres of secOnd-class land. |
In addition to actual sale of land, real
estate is let out by the government |
on occupation with right to purchase,
and by leases in perpetuity.
Under the tenure of occupation |
with right of purchase, land is held |
under license for twenty-five years.
AT any time subsequent to the first |
ten years, and after having resided on
the land and made Improvements, the
occupier can purchase the land, or can
exchange his license for lease in
perpetuity. Under occupation with
right of purchase, rent of five per
cent. on the cash price Of the land
must be paid yearly.
Lands held under the tenure of lease |
in perpetuity are leased for 999 years,
subject to occupation and improve
ment. The holders of such lands are
obliged to pay to the State an annual
rental of four per cent. on the cash
price of the land, this price being esti
mated anew every three years. IN
der these two methods of tenure much
land is held by persons who would be
unable to purchase it outright. These
methods of tenure also secure to the
State part of the increment in value
1ue to growth in population and pub
Ic works improvement Improve
neutS by the Occupier are not subject