66 ECONOMIC CONDITIONS No. 86 ) 40 cents) per 100 lb. , whereas the latter classes are charged 1s. (74 cents) and 1s . 100. (135 cents) respec tively. These charges are equivalent to about 21, 5, and 9 cents (or 0 ·4d ., 0 :8d . , and 1.5d . ) per ton per mile .

Passenger fares are approximately as follows : First class : single 3d . , return 4 d. per mile ; second class : single izd. , return 2 d .; " intermediate class : single 1d ., return 12d .; third class, single : short dis tances 4d ., longest distances 3d . Similar faresobtain on the marine services of Lakes Victoria and Kioga, but the rate for third-class passengers is only ·25d .

Adequacy to Economic Needs ; Possibilities of Expansion . — The influence which theUganda Railway, in the sixteen years since it reached Lake Victoria, has exercised upon the development of British East Africa is comparable to the influence of the Canadian Pacific Railway upon Western Canada . Whether the railway is equaľ to the requirements of the Protectorates is a matter on which a difference of opinion has existed between the railway authorities and the settlers and business men, the latter complaining of the congestion of traffic even under peace conditions. All are agreed, however, that the question of railway expansion is of the utmost importance for the future of the country, and demands the most careful study .

The traffic and financial returns for the last three years have, of course,been affected by the special con ditions of the war. Expenditure has been reduced to the lowest possible limit, and revenue has perhaps gained as much by the military use of the line as it has lost by interruptions of commercial traffic. Even so , the advance in net earnings has not been exceptional, and the rise in tonnage carried has not exceeded the rate of increase of previous years . Since 1904 , each seventh year hitherto hasseenthe tonnage tripled and profits at least doubled . It is impossible to predict when this rate of progress will be checked by the economic satura tion of the territory served , but a continuous and rapid increase of traffic for a number of years may safely be anticipated. New roads are opening up new districts and bringing in more produce . The traffic from tribu