172 COMMERCE OF AFGHANISTAN. 



entered into with the Khan of Khelat whereby 

 all transit duties through his dominions, which 

 duties were formerly numerous, heavy, and 

 vexatious, have been abolished, and in lieu 

 thereof a fixed duty of 8 annas per maund of 

 eighty pounds, without reference to value, is 

 levied. The customs and transit duties yet 

 levied at Candahar and throughout Afglianistan, 

 are however still very burdensome and vexatious, 

 and they press heavily and injuriously on the 

 trade; but it is to be hoped that our friendly 

 relations with the Ameer Dost Mahomed will 

 produce a favourable change in this respect. 

 The chief staple production of Khelat and 

 Afghanistan is wool, and the aggregate of im- 

 posts paid to the chiefs of those countries under 

 the arrangements which have hitherto obtained, 

 has been from 12 to 20 per cent. The subjection 

 of merchandise to transit duties so heavy as 

 these, on its way to the port of shipment, has 

 naturally proved very detrimental hitherto to the 

 fair development of the north-western trade ; thus 

 there is every reason to hope that, under our im- 

 proved relations with those states, the exports 

 in wool will be increased tenfold. 



The expense of preserving peace and tran- 



