Back to 'Canals The enterprising development work which the Grand
Union Canal Company is undertaking over a long stretch of water-way between Birmingham and London will have the double effect of creating employment and restoring the credit -of canal transport. A century ago the net- work of canals which spread over England contributed in no small degree to the advancing prosperity of the country ; and if they have played a far lesser part than they should have done in recent decades, that is due to the deliberate policy adopted at one time by the railways, which aimed at killing inland water transport. The keenness of rivalry between existing forms of transport is no sufficient reason for neglecting any one of them which is well adapted for its work ; the time will come when there will be plenty of room for all that are efficient. Canals which can carry barges of the . larger type can perform a unique function. (The Grand Union is widening the locks and improving the water-way.) They can link up' port with port and factory-yard with factory-yard. Their freights are cheap. They arc peace- ful, safe, and an harmonious element in any countryside,
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