100 COTTON IN EGYPT AND THE SUDAN. 



The 600 operatives employed here, of whom many are women 

 and children, are mostly natives, but there are a few Greeks and 

 Italians amongst them. Their weekly wage, for 11 hours daily work r 

 is on the average of the various nationalities from 55 P.T. to 

 70 P.T. 



The wages for the weaving are paid on piece work ; the average 

 outturn is much lower than in Europe, as one operative looks only 

 after two to four narrow looms. 



The reason why the cotton spinning and weaving industry of 

 Egypt has not prospered under normal conditions is to be found in 

 the fact that Egypt is not at all a country suitable for modern 

 industry. The natives are agriculturalists and dealers, but no mill 

 workers. The Arabs are, it is true, frugal and well-disciplined, but 

 they are untidy, dirty, and do not possess any understanding for com- 

 plicated machinery. Besides the lack of adequate labour, there is also 

 a scarcity of fuel; best Cardiff coal was quoted in November, 1912,. 

 34s. franco wagon Alexandria. Another reason is that Egyptian 

 capital is preferably invested in land speculation, and not in indus- 

 trial undertakings. Strikes are also known in Egypt, but they have 

 so far only been very small and without result. 



Importation of cotton goods. Egypt is therefore compelled to 

 rely upon the importation of woven cotton goods, and England 

 supplies about 85 per cent, of these. In 1911 cotton goods to the 

 value of ;E4,125,000 were imported, of these ;E3, 411, 000 came 

 from England, the rest was imported from Italy, Austria, Germany, 

 and France. The principal goods imported from England are grey 

 cloth, grey shirtings, madapolams, and prints. Hosiery is imported 

 principally from Germany, but England, France, and Italy 

 also supply some, the latter country especially the cheaper 

 qualities. Cotton yarn was imported during 1911 to the value of 

 ;E323,000; of this amount ^E149,000 came from England, the 

 rest mostly from East India. 



COTTON EXPORT. 



As Egypt does not possess a cotton-spinning industry of any 

 importance, the major portion of the Egyptian cotton crop is sent 

 abroad, and raw cotton is to-day by far the most important item in 

 the list of exports. The exports of cotton have developed in the 

 following manner : 

 1832 1836 1839 1860 1863 1864 1865 1871 1884 1895 1906/10 



30 58 35 28 78 90 91 72 67 74 82$% 

 of the total trade. 



The Egyptian cotton, with a staple length of 30 mm. to 45 mm. 

 (whilst American Upland has 20 mm. to 26 mm., Sea Island 40 mm. 

 to 60 mm.), is especially suitable for sewing thread, fine under-wear r 

 hosiery, laces, and all kinds of cotton goods with a 

 smooth surface and a fine lustre. For this reason Egyptian cotton 

 is largely employed in weaving along with silk. It is more suitable 

 for this purpose than American Upland, and is not as expensive as 

 Sea Island. Egyptian cotton is also largely employed for goods 

 which require mercerising. Its brown colour makes it adaptable 

 without the necessity of dyeing for all kinds of " ecru " textures, 



