THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE 4 5 sides, that the cumbrous and extravagant system of caravan traffic may soon be superseded by a more convenient form of transport. With the introduction of railroads, and the extension of a steam service upon the rivers, the question of caravan tolls will probably fall into abeyance. Throughout the interior of the Protectorate the reduction of these tolls has given universal satisfaction, and the steady increase in the amount collected — notwithstanding the fact that byroads, which have no toll stations, are now so safe as to be frequently used for the purpose of evading all tolls — gives unmistakable indication of the increase in the volume of internal trade.

The question in which European traders are interested is, of course, the development of an export trade. This rests, I have tried to show, in the first instance, upon internal prosperity. The direct object of the administration is to promote prosperity by the peaceful organisation of the country under just laws, the maintenance of order, and the opening of communication with the outer world. When these objects have been attained, the administration may be regarded as having done its part. It holds the field in the interests alike of the native and the European. It is for European trade itself to do the rest.

The wealth of opportunity cannot be doubted, and private enterprise is already following close upon the heels of established government. The returns of European trade with the Protectorate are not at present published in a form which makes accurate figures attainable, but the two European firms who do the principal trade have for the last year given incomplete figures, which reach a total of about ;300,ooo. This is exclusive of European trade done for Government through the Crown Agents, and also of trade of which the values in European goods done by native traders are not known. Some ;!f6o,ooo worth of British cottons are estimated to have been imported last year by petty