The figures for 1890-94 may be illustrated diagrammatically as on opposite page.
It must be noticed that this comparison takes no account of the enormous carrying trade done by this country for foreign countries or British Colonies trading with one another; nor are there figures available for showing how in this matter we compare with our rivals. The figures, if they existed, would show that in this international industry Great Britain is first, and the rest of the world nowhere.
Before passing to another point it is worth while to call attention to the enormous development of the coasting branch of our shipping trade, as shown in the figures given above. This branch of shipping is really of the nature of internal traffic, as distinguished from foreign trade. That it should have increased so steadily and so rapidly is by itself a striking proof of the commercial activity of the country.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR RAILWAYS.
Proof even more convincing is apparent in the enormous development of our railway system. It is difficult to know from which side first to approach the tremendous figures in which this development is portrayed. Taking, at hazard, mileage first, we find within the last twenty-five years an increase of 6,000 miles in our railway system—namely, from 15,000 in 1870, to 21,000 in 1895. Of this increase, 2,000 miles are due to the last decade. Looking next at the capital expenditure, we find that in the ten years from 1885 to 1895 the total capital of the various railway companies of the United Kingdom rose from 816 millions sterling to 1,001 millions. Part of this immense increase was, it is true, only nominal, being due to consolidation of stock, etc. But when all allowance has been made on that score, we are left with a real net increase in the ten years of 170 millions sterling. During the same period of ten years the receipts from passenger traffic rose from 30 millions sterling to 37 millions, while the receipts from goods traffic rose from 36 to 44 millions. In the last quarter of a century the number of passengers carried by the railways, exclusive of season-ticket holders, has risen from 337 millions to 930 millions. Were it possible to record the number of journeys made by season-ticket holders, we should obtain an even more striking picture of the development of passenger traffic on our railways. Such figures as are available are given in the next table, and illustrated by the accompanying diagrams:—
The Railways of the United Kingdom.
Ten Years’ Work and Receipts.
| 1886 | 1887 | 1888 | 1889 | 1890 | 1891 | 1892 | 1893 | 1894 | 1895 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goods carried:—Million Tons | 255 | 269 | 282 | 297 | 303 | 310 | 309 | 293 | 324 | 334 |
| Passengers carried: Million persons | 726 | 734 | 742 | 775 | 818 | 845 | 864 | 873 | 911 | 930 |
| Goods receipts:—Million £’s | 36·4 | 37·3 | 38·7 | 41·1 | 42·2 | 43·2 | 42·9 | 41·0 | 43·4 | 44·0 |
| Passenger receipts: Million £’s | 30·2 | 30·6 | 31·0 | 32·6 | 34·3 | 35·1 | 35·7 | 35·8 | 36·5 | 37·4 |
The figures may be illustrated diagrammatically as follows:—