100 [No. 99 ECONOMIC CONDITIONS The Colony, however, still enjoys important revenues from lands, proceeds of sales and leases ( 385,000 francs in 1913 ) , dues on licences to collect rubber, &c. ( 140,000 francs) , and the tax on ivory, which in 1913 produced 2,110,000 francs. The proceeds of the taxes of 40 centimes per kilogramme on tree or vine rubber, and of 20 centimes on grass rubber, which together amounted to 800,000 francs in 1913, were laid aside for the creation and main tenance of domain rubber plantations. An active policy of extension in regard to these has now appa rently been abandoned, but a certain number of planta tions, of coffee and cocoa as well as rubber, are being worked by the State, and although in 1913 the return was only 110,000 francs, it should increase largely in course of time. A small sum, 17,000 francs in 1913, was obtained from the dues payable on wood cut within domain forests. These dues are not levied on wood cut by natives or others for domestic use.

Mines, which in 1913 yielded 3,780,000 francs, are, as is natural, a Government monopoly. Posts, telegraphs, river transport, and minor services yield hardly any surplus over the cost of working. The proceeds of the Government's share in companies, which even in 1911 exceeded 3,000,000 francs, fell practically to zero after the abandonment of the policy of exploitation. Fees of court, survey fees, and minor licence and permit fees yield a trifling revenue.

Direct taxation includes includes a personal tax paid almost entirely by Europeans, and based on the size of the buildings used by them, and on the number of their employés and of the boats used in their business ; it yielded in 1913 a compara tively small sum (825,000 francs) . The payment of this tax confers the right to trade within the Colony'; the European trader must otherwise pay 500 francs for a special licence to deal in rubber, copal, or ivory, a