British Somaliland] 35 COMMERCE ; FINANCE (D) FINANCE ( 1 ) PUBLIC FINANCE The Protectorate does not pay its own way , though it is relatively not a very heavy charge on the Ex chequer. The budget figures are as follows : The revenue of the Protectorate from all sources for 1915–16 amounted to £29,270, representing a deficit of £4,567 on the estimate, but an increase of £5,439 as compared with the previous year. The customs dues are the main source of revenue ; they produced £26,021 in 1915–16 . There is a 10 per cent. ad valorem import and export duty at Berbera and Bulhar. The parliamentary grant in aid for 1915–16 amounted to £ 89,000 .

The expenditure of the ' Protectorate has been as follows : £ 1913-14 68,646 1914-15 113,283 1915-16 124,467 It may be mentioned that the recent large increase is due to the strengthening of the military forces in the country.

There is no public debt.

(2) CURRENCY AND BANKING The monetary unit in the Protectorate is the Indian rupee. The following Indian coins are also in circula tion : pice, j anna, 1 , 2, 4, and 8 annas. The British sovereign is accepted at the coast, the rate of exchange being Rs. 15. The value of the coin in circulation is estimated at Rs. 6,000,000. Bank of England notes also circulate, being payable on demand without dis count. There are no banks in the Protectorate, but