PURCHASING 309 



who were in Egypt in 1882 could answer this, and 

 could tell you how, on the way to Kassassin, the wagons 

 stuck in the deep loose sand, and how the poor un- 

 acclimatised horses broke their hearts in struggling to 

 haul them out under a hot sun ! Even at home these 

 wagons should be done away with, and in their stead 

 wheeled mule transport be substituted, but only to a 

 certain extent, for a good proportion of camel and mule 

 pack transport should be maintained also. Then, as 

 in 1882, if we were to have a row in Egypt, or else- 

 where in a country of a like nature, according to the 

 strain brought to bear upon it the system would 

 expand sufficiently to meet the strain, and we would at 

 all events have a transport fit to cope with the natural 

 characteristics of the country in the hands of men who 

 thoroughly understood their animals. 



Objections on financial grounds can readily be Financial 

 advanced against this or any other system, but I do Jec 

 not think the expense would be any greater than the 

 present one. Even were it ordinarily greater by a few 

 thousand pounds a year, in the end it would be more 

 economical, w T hen the enormous losses in animal, 

 especially in camel, flesh that occur on active service 

 are taken into account. But here we are brought face 

 to face with the real obstacle that prevents change 

 of system party government, with its fears of un- 

 popularity, and loss of power through increased 

 estimates. In peace time they are afraid to spend a 

 few thousands on a cause no matter how worthy ; in 

 war time thousands, even millions, are thrown away, 

 while the ugly fact is glossed over and the confiding 

 public gulled. Besides, the difficulty of obtaining 



