RAILWAY PROJECTS,

Grey River Argus, Volume XIII, Issue 1524, 23 June 1873, Page 2

RAILWAY PROJECTS,

The immense activity in railway construction all over the world accouuts for the difficulty of obtaining railway plant, and for the high price and scarcity of iron. That this is likely to continue is seen by the many railway projects in contemplation and progress. Canada has granted 50,000,000 acres of land and 30,000,000d0l in gold to her projected Pacific Railway. The company is required to deposit 10 per cent, of the capital with the ■ Government, to.be retained subject to the disposition of the Dominion Parliament; The entire capital stock is 10,000,000d01. The work must' be finished within' lo years, but certain sections must be completed within a less time, and construction at both ends must be begun before the Ist of July. Russia has a gigantic system of railways for its gigantic land. The object of Russia in connection with these railways is thus stated in an English journal : — " The belief has somehow, gained ground that the Czar of Russia is less of an autocrat than was his father Nicholas, or the Alexander before him. The fancy is erroneous. As much to-day as ever, the will of the Russian Emperor is law to his nation ; as much now as in the time of the great Peter, he regulates peace or war, without the limitation or advice of any one. But though his powers are nowise inferior to those of his ancestors, it is his good sense that .has made his policy less conservative. His serf emancipation, hia vast railway system, and his army improvements were simply points of preparation. He is far from ready, : however ; it will take ten years to complete the network of railways and perfect the new military system, and until this is accomplished, Russia is earnestly opposed to a European, war,"