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THE RELATIVE GROWTH OF THE EMPIRE 231
of India, is not to be taken literally, especially in a
comparison with other parts of the Empire.
3. The comparative smallness of our miscellaneous
possessions, the scattered possessions we hold all over
the world exclusive of the main divisions already
described, and the want of progress shown in some of
them by comparison. All told, the long list of small
possessions enumerated in group 7 only gives a popu-
lation of not quite 8,500,000, and if we were to exclude
-Ceylon, which ought perhaps to be included with India,
the. population would be almost exactly 5.000,000, or
about an eightieth part only of the whole Empire.
Although in the group generally there is remarkable
increase since 1871-81 per cent. in population, 84 per
cent. in revenue, and 64 per cent. in imports and ex-
ports-we have to consider that we are here dealing
with small amounts only, and not with the large figures
of other parts of the Empire. The figures of the
imports and exports would, however, be larger than
they are if the imports and exports of such places as
Hong Kong, Gibraltar. and Malta, whose trade is a
dep6t and transit trade, could be properly dealt with
for such a comparison as the present.
In spite of the general increase in the group also,
we have to note one or two unfavourable symptoms
among the older Colonies. I refer especially to the
subdivision (c) of group 7. and principally the West
Indian Islands and British Guiana. In this group
there is a large percentage increase of population
amounting to 45 per cent.; the revenue also shows an
increase amounting to 56 per cent.; but when we turn
to the imports and exports we find the increase in the
imports to be 7 per cent. only, and that there is an
actual decrease in the exports of 14 per cent. In
British Guiana there is a decrease of 32 per cent. in
the imports and of 35 per cent. in the exports. These
figures tell their own tale, which is confirmed by the
figures as to growth of debt and other particulars.
This is almost the one unfavourable feature in the