A WORLD'S WORK.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 58, 8 March 1877, Page 4

A WORLD'S WORK.

In the ship canal through Nicaragua we have the outlines of the first world's work ever proposed. Tbe canal through the Isthmus of Suez is in a sense a close corporation. It runs through the territory of the Khedive of EgxpL That potentate is not only the sovereign of the region, but the owner of most of the stock. The Eoglish Government on a recent occasion bought a large part of his interest. Tbis may be regarded as the first instance in history of an international investment. It comes to pass in this way that Egypt and England have the fixing of the tolls which the rest of the world using the canal have to pay. But in the Nicaragua canal we are advancing toward a more complete form of international property. The scheme is to invite all nations beforehand to contribute to the 7 undertaking, and that when finished, it shall become the common property of mankind. It is difficult to point out a nation that would not be benefitted by thia correction of geography in the interest of commerce. The United States would gain a shorter water route by the whole continent of South America between its eastern and western shores. Equador, Peru and even Chile, would have a shorter passage to the great centres of trade and civilisation Brazil and the Argentine Confederawould have a short cut to the Pacific. Japan would reap great advantages from the new outlet. AU the nations of Europe which have any Oriental trade would share in its benefits. Nor would it be a difficult matter for a world's Conference to fix the amount which each should pay in making up the twenty million pounds which it is estimated wili be required. The statistics of commerce would furnish the basis of an equitable adjustment. With so many partners the assessment upon each nation could not fail to be very light. But when we get to the next step beyond lhe raising of the necessary fuods, tbe real difficulties commence. It would not be a nice thing to have a world's scheme of geographical improvement tainted with the jobs so common in these days. Tbe world would not be disposed to read with patience the details of a series of collusive biddings after the manner of the New York canals. Nor is it likely to consent, for the purpose of avoiding such scandals, to giving the necessary funds in the way of subsidy to private parties. The broad common sense of mankind would reject, without much ceremony tbe idea of bestowing on any set of persons vtst sums to create property, public only in nemo. An International Board of Engineers would seem to be the precise organism for the carrying out of the project. The money invested should be considered as sunk for ever, tbe tolls being graded so as to cover the expense of working and repairs. ' — m.