The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1912. STATE OWNERSHIP.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2, 29 April 1912, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1912. STATE OWNERSHIP.

Dr- Alfred Russell Wallace believes that the day is fast approaching when Britain must nationalise her railways, coal-mines and her agricultural lands. The problem is a pretty big one, but this'noted scientist, who is one of the foremost thinkers of the day, considers it must be faced. ,• A few weeks ago he stated that he regarded the coal strike as a phase of the' great movement that would make monopoly and grinding poverty unknown in Britain, lie believed that people were beginning to realise that State ownership of national services yvas inevitable. They were frightened at the prospect, and asked how they could afford to buy the immense private interests. But the answer to that was quite simple, since the State need not pay a penny to anyone. "Take the ease of the railways," said Dr. Wallace. "The Government could take the railways over, effect an immense economy in working them and pay the shareholders a fair dividend. Their first concern would be to provide all the railway workers with just wages, but after that they would see that the shareholders had their reward. However, that reward would not continue in perpetuity. I like Bentham's phrase that Government should avoid disappointing just expectations. Shareholders expect dividends; let them have dividends. But their heirs? Well, let the next generation have those same dividends. After that, no dividends. Free railway travelling for all mankind, and the price of freight, like the post office charge, identic:) 1 and irrespective of distance." Dr Wallace pointed out that a penny stamp would carry a letter across the street or from one end of the world to the other, and the institution of a similar system in connection with the carriage of produce and merchandise would effect an enormous alleviation of the hardship that arises from faulty distribution. Turning to the land question, he said that there was no shadow of doubt that Britain could produce her own wheat with very great advantage to herself. Ar, coon as the State attended to the production of food stuffs and the utilisation of land there would be remunerative work for everybody. Tt is, of course, very questionable how far these fine ideals of a scientific thinker may be realised, but it is stated that even practical men are being attracted by the ideas set forth by Dr. Wallace.