STATE-OWNED RAILWAYS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8779, 16 November 1906, Page 2

STATE-OWNED RAILWAYS.

GERMANY AND FRANCE.

Germany leads the world with respect to Government ownership of railroads, the kingdom of Prussia having taken the initiative in that direction many years ago (says the Boston "Globe")In Germany in 1902 — the latest year for which statistics are available — the State owned 29,473 of the 82,288 miles of railroad in operation in the empire, and in thirteen other European countries, including, of course, Russia, a considerable percentage of the railroads was under government ownership or control.

While Francs is not actually a country where the railroads are controlled by the State, the Government exercises a supervision over passenger and freight rates. The 20C c J-mile Govern-ment-owned system of France is confined to a somewhat small district m the south-west of the Republic. Passenger rates are lower in Fraiice tkan in the United States 1 , and "circular" tickets, good for thirty days, are is-, sued at reduced rates by all the companies, with '*' stop-off " privileges at any time within the thirty days and at any place within the circle.

AUSTRIA'S ZONE SYSTEM

It is to Austria-Hungary, however, that the student of transportation problems must turn for the most interesting examples of scientific rate building, for here the "zone system" has been developed to a fine point.

Austria early embarked upon the State-ownership policy, and by 1854 two-thirds of the mileage of that country was controlled by the Government. Later the policy was changed, and the railroads were sold to private companies at a great sacrifice. After the crisis of 1873 the Government once more changed ite policy, and by 1902, out of a total of 12,409 miles, it had acquired 4874 miles, and operated in all 7405 miles. The State-ownership movement has meanwhile gone even further in Hungary than in Austria, for, in 1902. 4772 miles were owned by the State, 4200 miles of private roads was operated b3" it, and oixly 1848 miles, or about 17 per cent of the total, was under private management.

The much-discussed " zone tariff," which has the effect of cheapening long distance traffic and travel, ae compared with short distance, was introduced in Hungary in 1889, and with slight modifications, was later adopted by Austria.

BELGIUM

Of the 2845 miles of railroad ia Belgium, only 330 miles is under private operation. Thro country, with its denee population and widespread industrial activity, offered ideal conditions for Government control of transportation. Paesenger rates throughout King Leopold's kingdom are lower than anywhere else in the world, with the possible exception of some of the lynes in India and freight rates are much lower than in any other European country. Switzerland has about 2500 miles, of railroad, a part of which is now under Government control, with 1909 set as the date for. taking over the remainder. Russia's present railroad policy is an aggressive one, as instanced by its great feat in building the TransSiberian road, and under the administration of Prince Hilkoff, the enterprising Minister of Ways and Communications, 13,000 miles have been added.

Japan is trying both State and private control of railroads. Since 1872 the railroads of the Mikado's empire have increased from eighteen to nearly 6000 miles.