nd cleared at colonial ports rose from
10,175,903 in 1895 to 22,518,286 in 1905. In that year 9/11ths of the
tonnage was British. It is interesting to compare the figures already
given with those of earlier days, as they illustrate the growth of the
colony over a longer period. In 1836 the total trade of the country was
under L1,000,000, in 1860 it had risen to over L4,500,000, in 1874 it
exceeded L10,500,000. It remained at about this figure until the
development of the Witwatersrand gold mines. The consequent great
increase in the carrying trade with the Transvaal led to some neglect of
the internal resources of the colony. Trade depression following the war
of 1899-1902 turned attention to these resources, with satisfactory
results. The value of imports for local consumption in 1906 was
L12,847,188, the value of exports, the produce of the colony being
L15,302,854. A "trade balance-sheet" for 1906 drawn up for the Cape Town
chamber of commerce by its president showed, however, a debtor account
of L18,751,000 compared with a credit account of L17,931,000, figures
representing with fair accuracy the then economic condition of the
country.

Cape Colony is a member of the South African Customs Union. The tariff,
revised in 1906, is protective with a general _ad valorem_ rate of 15%
on goods not specifically enumerated. On machinery generally there is a
3% _ad valorem_ duty. Books, engravings, paintings, sculptures, &c., are
on the free list. There is a rebate of 3% on most goods from the United
Kingdom, machinery from Great Britain thus entering free.

_Communications_.--There is regular communication between Europe and the
colony by several lines of steamships. The British mails are carried
under contract with the colonial government by packets of the
Union-Castle Steamship Co., which leave Southampton every Saturday and
Cape Town every Wednesday. The distance varies from 5866 m. to 6146 m.,
according to the route followed, and the mail boats cover the distance
in seventeen days. From Cape Town mail steamers sail once a week, or
oftener, to Port Elizabeth (436 m., two days) East London (543 m., three
days) and Durban (823 m., four or five days); Mossel Bay being called at
once a fortnight. Steamers also leave Cape Town at frequent and stated
intervals for Port Nolloth.

Steamers of the D.O.A.L. (_Deutsche Ost Afrika Linie_), starting from
Hamburg circumnavigate Africa, touching at the three chief Cape ports.
The west