PUBLIC WORKS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 37, 7 October 1871, Page 11

PUBLIC WORKS.

We can never hear the grand topic of the day Immigration and Public Works mentioned, without thinking of the public works which were executed in Spain, about a century ago, during the reign of Charles 111. The greatest material benefits were conferred on the nation during that reign, but they were not destined to be lasting. A glance at Spanish history, at that period, relating to this subject, will prove well-timed, and not perhaps wholly useless. It is worth noting that in the year 1771, exactly one hundred years ago, it was laid down in that country as a settled principle of government, that of all the branches of public policy the care of education is the most important. Hence new life was infused into the old universities, new schools founded, and new colleges endowed. During this reign the natural resources of the country were becoming so developed, and by means which will presently appear, that a large amount of taxation could have been easier paid than a small one previously; while the taxes which bore most heavily on the industrious classes were altogether repealed. Soon after this great king’s accession he issued an order exempting from military service all printers and type-founders; and before his death Spain underwent greater changes than

it had done during the previous 150 years. When, by the increase of wealth, and not by the imposition of fresh burdens, large resources were placed at his command, he devoted a portion of them to public works, public gardens, walks, gates, and institutions at Madrid. In other parts of the country, roads were made, and cauals dug, with the view of increasing trade,, by opening up communications through tracts previously impassable. At the commencement of the reign of Charles 111. the whole of Sierra Morena was unoccupied, except by wild beasts and banditti. No peaceful traveller would venture into it, and commerce was thus excluded from what nature had marked as one of the greatest highways in Spain. The active government of Charles 111. determined to remedy this evil; but, the Spanish people not having the energy to do what was required, 6,000 Dutch and Flemish were invited to settle in this desert. On their arrival, lands were allotted to them, roads were cut through the whole of the district; villages were built; and that which had just been an impervious \vi ! - derness, was suddenly turned into a smiling and fruitful territory. Nearly all over Spain new roads were made, and the old ones repaired, while, at the same time, such vigilance was employed to prevent peculation on the part of officials, that in a very few years the cost of making public highways was reduced to less than half of what it used to be. Now, mark the result of this policy, for it has an intimate bearing on that now happily being inaugurated in New Zealand. By the construction of a grand canal the means of a safe and profitable trade were supplied to the western extremity of Aragon. The old land, being more productive, rose in value, and new land was brought under the plough. From these public works be it noted, other parts of Spain besides those where they were undertaken, were also benefited. By this great canal the rich plains of the Ebro were opened up, and yielded so abundantly that they were able to supply wheat and other food to the Castilians, as well as to the Aragonese. "When Charles came to the throne, Spain was hardly a third-rate power ; when he died she might fairly claim to be a first-rate one. Buckle quotes authorities for the astonishing statement that, during this reign, the export of foreign goods was tripled, of home produce quadrupled, and the returns from America augmented in the marvellous proportion of nine to one. The produce of the customs, as was to bo expected, increased with equal rapidity ; so that, as we have seen, instead of new taxes being levied, old burdens were got rid of, while the Treasury remained full to overflowing. Would it not be well to pause here for awhile in order to give time for re. flection ? There were other measures adopted, which aided in producing the effects above described; but all authorities agree in stating that they were chiefly owing to the wise policy, the internal improvements, and improved means of transport, which marked the administration of the Government during this happy and prosperous reign Not even the United States show a more wonderful example of the beneficial effects conferred on the nation, on individuals, and on the revenue, by the honest prosecution of needed public works and undertakings, than Spain exhibited at the period under review. What is more to the purpose, such an example affords us grounds for anticipating that from the adoption of a like policy here we may witness like happy results, not probably of an equal magnitude, but in at least a proportionate degree.

But, mark the sequel. No sooner had a new king ascended the throne than the country relapsed into its former inactivity. It was soon discovered that the great works which had been undertaken during the previous reign would not prove permanently beneficial, because they had been constructed by the Government and not by the people. The Spanish Government was too far in advance of the Spaniards. Like an inherited fortune, or a prize in a lottery, the true value of public works depends upon the purposes to which they are devoted, and upon the character, habits, and conduct of those iutended to be benefited by them. The best of Governments and the best of policies can be of no permanent advantage to

an indolent, ignorant, and degraded people. Material progress to be enduring, and really beneficial, must be accompanied by intellectual and moral improvement. The pursuit of wealth may become too absorbing, and wealth itself is at best but a means foi the attainment of an end. If obtained without some self-exertion and self sacrifice, it will be lost, as in the case of the Spaniards, in the same easy, swift, and careless manner by which it has been acquired. It was from a conviction of this kind that we viewed with so much satisfaction the announcement of the Government that railways were not going to bo made here, there, and everywhere, without some guarantee being given for the payment of the interest on their cost by those who would be chiefly benefited by them. We may learn from the foregoing glance into a period of Spanish history how beneficial improved means of transport may prove to a people willing and capable of turning them to account.