The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-04-21
GOVERNMENT CONTROL.
New Zealand Experiments With Rail-
roads, Telegraphs, Telephones.
new LIBERALISM WORKS.
An Interesting Outline-Pr0ffts of Gov
vernment Mauagement-Farms on
Very Easy Terms.

A. &. FradenDurg III the O1ttOOh says:
"In New. Zealand state activity has
resulted in the government assuming
many other functions besides that OF
mere governing. The state controls
railroads, telegraphs, telephones, mails,
roads, irrigation, and other public works
which involve the management OF
natural monopolieS, and by reason OF
its superior credit and resources has
been able to precede and lead in clvlll-
ZatiOn with these instead OF following
at a conservative distance, as is the
case wherever these industries are in
private hands. Up to March OF 1873
The government OF New Zealand had
expended over e26 100000, or $l3O, OOO,-
600, on railroads and other public works
which under this policy of clearing the
way for civilization and immigration.
Some of the railroads it built, others
built by private parties it purchased.
In 1872, when the policy wenv into
effect, there were only sixty-tive miles
of railroad in the colony. Last year
there were 1886 miles under govern
ment control only $50 miles still owned
and operated by private corporations.
In 1892 the earnings OF these state
railroads were $5,9OO,OOO and the net
earnings, over all expenses, $2.o49, loo.
Telegraps, mails and WaterWOrks have
likewise yielded encouraging profits,
the gross income from the two first
named, which are operated together,
being 81, 49S,325. Telephones, over
which the government but recently
assumed control, paid into the treas
ury during the same year $3.50, 775, a
good proportion Of which was in ex-
cess of fixed and operating charges.
And this, too, in new country.
small country containing altogether
less than 100000 people!
Had the people of New Zealand
stopped at this point they would still
have led the world in the rational
solution of veXing social problems.
But they did not stop. The govern
ment has assumed control of native
lands, opened them up. and will either
lease, rent, or sell outright to settler
on easy term whatever ground he
may require, or if he have no money
will advance him a sufficient sum to
make his first payments and to begin
his improvements. The system Of
land tenure and taxation is a modi-
fled application of the principles ex-
pounded by Henry George. Most OF
the ground is leased in perpetuity or
rented out by the state at an annual
rate varying from to per cent. OF
it's cash value. Land owned by in
dividuals is taxed at a low figure,
providing it does not exceed in value
$4,000. On all property over that
amount in value special graded tax
is assessed, which increases with the
increase in size and value of the
estate, becoming almost prohibitive
when that talne gets beyond $4,000.
1t is The settled policy OF the New
Zealand government to prevent the
acquisition of great tract OF land
by any individual or corporation. If,
however. any victim of this policy
thinks his taxes are too high the
state always stands ready to purchase
his property. Small holders have
scarcely any tax to pay on their land
and none whatever on improvements.
The state also acts as trustee, admin
listers estates at the actual cost OF adj
ministration, and runs free public
employment bureau, with branches in
every town, where the mutual re-
quirements of employers and employees
all over the colony may be ascertained.
"These are not all the social expert
ments which have been tried in New
Zealand. They are but few of
many, and all have thus far been at
tended with most gratifying success.
When the recent financial panic dew
astated the whole of Australia and the
Australasian colonies, extending in
it's effects even to the Sandwich is
lands and California, New Zealand
alone of them all escaped the scourge.
Her commerce was not impaired, her
banks remained solid, her values were
undisturbed. Call it, then, advanced
liberalism, state socialism, what you
like, the fact remains that state ac-
tivity and state performance of many
functions hitherto left to individuals
has proven an unqualified success in
New Zealand. And if in New Zealand
why not elsewhere? Why not in
American