NIGERIA UNDER BRITISH RULE 475 associated with the prosperity of the country. There will remain, of course, a body of slave-traders who, until their commercial capital has been diverted to more legitimate trade, will be discontented, and will naturally be disposed to foment any ill-feeling to which the new distribution of taxes may unwittingly give rise. There is always the danger, in writing of a generally popular reform, of describing it too confidently as a universal cure for evils which are inherent to society. Reform Is not usually an unmixed benefit, but unfortunately brings with it its own drawbacks. Experience will discern these in the new scheme of taxation, and their appearance may be the cause of troubles which will have to be dealt with as they arise.

For the moment, however, the reorganisation of native finance would seem to have been satisfactory, and it has been so important a factor in promoting the speedy and peaceable settlement of the Protectorate that, after the abolition of slavery, it must be held to take the first place. It is easy to imagine how the relief of the peasantry on the one side, and the satisfaction of the rulers on the other, afTect the whole relations of government