The railways, telegraphs, and the few government-owned mines of New Zealand, have been calculated to employ about one eighth of the population, a greater proportion than in America or Great Britain, but scarcely greater than in Germany or France--and not a very great stride even towards "State Socialism." And it seems likely that the present proportion in New Zealand will remain for some time where it is.
Government banking, steamships, bakeries, and the government monopoly of the sale of liquor and tobacco might not prove immediately profitable, and are less heard of than formerly.
Where "State Socialism" has proceeded such a little distance, the material benefits it promises to labor (though in a lesser proportion than to other classes) have not yet accrued.

"It must be admitted," write Le Rossignol and Stewart, "that the benefits of land reform and other Liberal legislation have accrued chiefly to the owners of land and other forms of property, and the condition of the landless and propertyless wage earners has not been much improved." Indeed, the condition of the workers is little, if any, better than in America.

Mr.
Clark writes: "The general welfare of the working classes in Australasia does not differ widely from that in the United States.

The hours of work are fewer in most occupations, but the wage per hour is less than in America.

The cost of living is about the same in both countries.