For what purpose our Railways were and ought to be constructed.^*

The Department has been at infinite pains to convince us, that we are now more cheaply served by rail, than we formerly were by horse and bullock teams. I very much doubt the truth of their assertion, and believe that the amount we pay for interest, would more than cover the cost of carting everything that now goes by rail. But was there ever such an absurd argument heard of before? Have we spent £13,000,000 merely to beat our local teamsters? It appears to me that our object ought to be to carry producers and their products at such rates as will enable them to compete in the great markets of the World, side by side with the producers of America, India, Australia, and Russia.