RAILWAYS. One of the most serious problems with which Australia has had to contend is in land transportation. Being an almost riverless continent, she is mainly dependent on artificial systems. These must largely precede civilization and open up the country for industrial develop ment. The construction of railways through uninhabited or sparsely settled regions neces sitated an enormous cash outlay in the face of a light estimate of immediate returns, and an uncertainty as to the ultimate outcome. This burden and responsibility were assumed by the Government itself. It has sought to further the development of the country and at the same time reap the benefits of the growth occasioned by the construction, ownership, and management of its own railways. As a result, less than 500 miles of line remain in private hands. The con struction and equipment of the railways has cost the States over $600,000,000, which amount constitutes 62 per cent. of the total public debt. After the interest on this debt and the running expenses have been paid there is almost invari in all the States, a deficiency to be met by public works, and vested it in special commis sions or commissioners. The Government ad ministration of railways has not been entirely free from grave faults and wasteful undertakings, yet it has advanced the settlement of the country in a way that could never have been expected of private enterprise. Thus, not only have cheap
passenger and freight rates been secured, but new industries have been fostered by special freight rates, and various emergencies have been met, such as the transportation of sheep to watering places in times of drought. or laborers to different parts of the country, as their in terests demanded, etc. The employees are en joying an eight-hour law and are receiving com paratively high wages.
The following table shows the course of rail way development in Australia and the separate States: The capitals of the four eastern States are connected by railway lines. The plan is being considered of connecting the South Australia system with that of Western Australia, making a trans-continental east and west line; while an other plan purposes to establish a north and south trans-continental line connecting the short line in Northern South Australia with the systemn in the south.