SOUTH AFRICA 



The Union of South Africa, comprising Natal, Transvaal, 

 Orange State, and Cape Colony, continues rapidly to grow in 

 importance as a source of Empire meat supply. The pastoral 

 condition of the country is eminently suitable for beef produc- 

 tion on a large scale, and the existing herds of cattle, which in 

 many parts are being rapidly improved, already total 8,000,000 

 head. Everywhere one sees efforts to improve the quality of 

 the beef and to make it suitable for the export trade. Freezing 

 works are being erected and enlarged at the various ports, and 

 railways are being extended. There is an ever -increasing de- 

 mand for stud cattle of both milk and beef breeds, and African 

 buyers at times almost equal those from the big South American 

 Republic in the prices they offer the British breeders. Even 

 during the war, continual consignments were being received. 

 Under an arrangement entered into some years ago between 

 the Union Government of South Africa and the Union Castle 

 Mail Steamship Company, it is provided that the shipping 

 company shall cany pedigree cattle freight free for a stipulated 

 number of years. No charge is made for freight, but a charge 

 is made for fodder and attendance of £4/15/- per head, and a 

 very active demand, and an increasing one, is being made for 

 all descriptions of high-class animals. Some years ago Mr. 

 Armour, of Chicago, stated that, in his opinion, South Africa 

 was the grandest ranching country in the world * it only needed 

 brains, industry and enterprise. Cattle since 1904 have in- 

 creased from 3,500,000 to, in 1917, 8,000,000 head. 



The generous policy of Sir Owen Philipps in carrying pedigree 

 stock from Britain to South Africa free of charge since he took 

 over the Union Castle line and obtained the renewal of the 

 South African mail contract is undoubtedly having beneficial 

 effects throughout the Union. Instead of being bred for 



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