EXPORT AND IMPORT DUTIES 



two approximately equal packs, are each securely tied, 

 and then in turn are lashed together on the camel's 

 back just above the saddle tree. It will be easily 

 seen, therefore, that to get the whole outfit together 

 requires time, and I spared no pains to see that 

 everything was as good as possible, in order that 

 I might keep my camels in good condition, for only 

 thus can the maximum amount of work be obtained 

 from them. 



When all my preparations were nearly completed, 

 I heard from my headman that my camels were 

 waiting for me at Giumbo ; so I rode over to 

 Gobwein on one of the riding camels that Mr. 

 Dundas had very kindly placed at my disposal. 

 It took me a day to complete the custom formalities, 

 for there is an export duty of Rs. 7.50 on each animal 

 from Italian Somaliland, and an import duty of 10 

 per cent, ad valorem into Jubaland. For mules the 

 tariff is even higher, the export duty in their case 

 being Rs. 35. I am unable to understand why the 

 British authorities should levy custom duties on 

 cattle and camels brought into their territory. The 

 demand for them, especially for any kind of beast 

 of burden, is far greater than the supply, and there- 

 fore it would seem only sensible to encourage 

 importers of such animals. So great is the difficulty 

 of obtaining camels that both the military and civil 

 authorities are obliged to hire them from the Arabs 

 and Somali at the ruinous charge of Rs. i per diem, 

 and are liable to pay Rs. 75 in case of death, besides 

 the amount incurred for work done previously. The 

 native traders therefore calculate that within a month 

 of coming down to the coast they can earn the 

 original cost of the camel, and every day's work 



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