The Scots scheme of colonization is in itself calculated to have
an efficient selecting power to procure emigrants of moral and
intellectual superiority, and eminently fitted for colonists. A
power of selection in the scheme itself, is preferable to any
inquisitorial committee. The condition of _working small-capitalists_
is generally the consequence of some mental superiority, which has
led the individual to be providently industrious, and to despise
mere momentary sensual gratification. It is the boldest and wisest
of these who will join in this scheme. And amongst the working
classes, those who possess the greatest share of moral courage,
intelligence, and determination of purpose, will be the men who will
join the Emigration Societies, and work out their own and their
family’s independence, at whatever cost of present exertion and
self-denial. The general diffusion of wealth, the possession of some
property by a large majority of the people, is necessary to human
comfort and rational liberty: Equal political rights and property in
the hands of the few cannot co-exist. Did our working men form an
emigration-fund of the money (collectively, at least, thirty millions
Sterling yearly) they, in self-indulgence, waste upon pernicious
liquors and tobacco, which enervate body and mind, they would soon be
able to carry out and supply with land and stock, one-half of their
number, and the increase of value of their colonial property under
the management of those sent out (the most trusty individuals of the
association, chosen by ballot), would be sufficient to transplant,
if necessary, the remaining half, while the time and strength saved
from being wasted in dissipation, would serve greatly to increase
the comforts of themselves and families, independent of the rise
of the wages of labour which would ensue. The greatness of the
object ought to be appreciated,--the change from mere labour-drudges
(most frequently in unwholesome occupations) in a country where a
property-class have in a manner secured every thing to themselves,
to the condition of proprietors in a most beautiful, fertile, and
salubrious country, is surely a sufficient motive for exertion. An
association of twenty working men, by subscribing each 2s. weekly,
can transplant two, or with a family, one of the members yearly; and,
aided by the increase of the value of their colonial property, in the
course of six years, or with families, eight or ten years, the whole
could be proprietors residing on their own estates, the value of
which every passing year would increase for ages to come.
P. M., _Chairman_.
* * * * *
Transcriber’s Notes:
The full title of this document is _Prospectus of the Scots New Zealand
Land Company_, and the author is Patrick Matthew.
Footnotes have been moved to the end of each chapter and relabeled
consecutively through the document.
Punctuation has been made consistent.
Variations in spelling and hyphenation were retained as they appear in
the original publication, except that obvious typographical errors have
been corrected.