Belgian manufacturers have patiently studied the needs of the natives and have successfully endeavoured to supply them with the textures and food stuffs, machinery, agricultural implements, and building material which, being of simple construction, they are capable of putting to intelligent use. The mineral wealth of the country which prospecting during the last five years has revealed in many sections of the Congo Basin, it is not the purpose of this volume to more than mention. Fine outcroppings of gold, coal, and copper have been discovered in the Katanga district in the south-eastern corner of the State. It has lately been rumoured in Europe that foreign prospectors have discovered territory marvellously rich in gold near the borders of British East Africa in the south, and again in the Enclave of Lado in the north. On this subject, and the likelihood of early and interesting mineral developments in that region, the Congo State authorities appear to have considerable knowledge. They do not, however, discuss the matter with any degree of candour. When the secret of certain political phases of Congolese history shall have been revealed, a connexion may be found between the mining and rubber industry and the calumnious campaign now proceeding against the State. But with that story, the present volume has naught to do. The State’s revenue, consisting of import and export dues, tolls, excise, and direct personal taxation, is indicated in the following table: ——————————————+———————————————————————————————————————+————————————— 1902 | | 1903 ——————————————+ Nature of Receipts +————————————— Estimates | | Estimates ——————————————+———————————————————————————————————————+————————————— _Frs._ | | _Frs._ 3,000.00 | Registration Taxes | 3,000.00 70,000.00 | Sale and Letting of Domanial Land, | | Timber Felling, etc | 20,000.00 |{Customs Duties on Exports, } | |{ Frs. 4,550,000.00 } | 6,055,000.00 |{Customs Duties on Imports, including} | 6,150,000.00 |{ the Duties on Alcohol, } | |{ Frs. 1,600,000.00 } | 580,000.00 | Direct Personal Taxation | 600,000.00 1,000.00 | Road Tolls | 1,000.00 125,000.00 | Taxes on Timber Felling | 140,000.00 155,000.00 | Postal Receipts | 155,000.00 55,000.00 | Maritime Rates | 60,000.00 25,000.00 | Judicial Receipts | 25,000.00 8,000.00 | Chancery Duties | 6,000.00 4,160,000.00 | Transport, and Different Services |