Nor have the proprietors of canals done the utmost to overcome inherent disadvantages. The existing inland system, with only 7-feet locks, is inadequate. The canals are too shallow; they are wasteful in the consumption of water; and they cannot be worked economically. The cost of working larger boats of 300 tons on suitable canals, hauled by steam, and loaded and unloaded by the best appliances of steam cranes would, of course, be much less expensive than that of working the boats of, say 30 to 60 tons, now used. The cost of haulage on the narrow canals is much in excess of the cost of conveyance by rail, and the difference remains,[109] notwithstanding all efforts to improve the canals; efforts which, to be really useful, it was estimated would cost about £12,000 a mile. Mr. F. Morton, a canal carrier, stated that his firm lost from £100 to £150 per boat, per year, on certain of their “Fly” or quick boats, which were worked as an auxiliary to their general business with a view to compete with the railways, and help to retain that portion of the “Slow” traffic which they still have. [109] See evidence before the Select Committee on Canals, in 1883. In countries possessing a large network of canals and other waterways--in France, Holland, and Germany (the Rhine provinces) for example--and where railway accommodation is not so complete as in this country, canals are necessarily important channels of communication. In France the waterways consist of-- Miles Navigable rivers 4,627 Canals 2,967 ----- 7,594 Except 534 miles the whole of the mileage is the property of the State, and canals have been artificially fostered by it. According to a report prepared by M. Krantz, in 1872, and submitted to the Select Committee on Canals in 1883, the expenditure upon the waterways in France was on that date £32,738,715 on canals, and £13,557,867 on rivers, a total of £46,296,582, while the cost of maintenance for the year was upwards of £336,000[110]. [110] M. de Foville says (1880) “_Sur les canaux de l’Etat, la suppression totale des droits de navigation sera peut être bientôt un fait accompli_” p 134. In Belgium the aggregate length of the canals and navigable rivers is 1,254 miles, seven-eighths of which belong to the State. On a great portion no toll is charged; and on the remainder, sums varying from 3¼d. to 1s. 1d. per ton per 100 miles. In Holland there are nearly 3,000 miles of canals and waterways, the former of which practically belong to the State.