THE CATTLE TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS. 
425 
ception of cattle from various parts of Europe was, with the 
object of preventing the spread of rinderpest, confined to 
certain ports — one of them being London, — but this restriction 
has within the last few weeks been removed as regarded Dutch 
animals, which may now be brought into England at any of 
the ordinary ports. This arrangement was come to on the 
extinction of the cattle plague in Holland, and on a special 
understanding with the Government of that country. The 
deputation yesterday requested Mr. Forster to extend that 
state of things so as to include cattle from the non-infected 
parts of Germany, in order that the animals might be shipped 
to Hull and the other neighbouring ports, be carried thence 
alive to the principal towns, and be slaughtered within a de- 
finite period and with similar restrictions to those in force in 
London, the cost of transit from the metropolis to the north 
thus being saved. The cities and towns represented by the 
deputation were Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Ashton, 
Bolton, Burnley, Bury, Bradford, Dewsbury, Derby, Grimsby, 
Glossop, Hartlepool, Halifax, Hull, Hudderfield, Leeds, 
Middlesborough, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Oldham, Plymouth, 
Stockport, Southampton, Staleybridge, Sheffield, Sunderland, 
Durham, and South Shields. 
Mr. Jacob Bright , M.P. , introduced the deputation to Mr. 
Forster, and urged that the great towns of the north of Eng- 
land had a right to as much freedom of trade in regard to 
cattleas London had ; that they were willing to put themselves 
under any restrictions which the Government might make if 
that concession was granted ; and that there w as no more 
danger attending the reception of cattle into Hull, Goole, 
Grimsby, and other ports than into London. He dwelt also 
upon the increase in the price of meat w hich the present 
system involved. 
The Mayor of Manchester (Mr. Grave) read memorials to 
the Privy Council from the inhabitants and Town Council in 
favour of the removal of the restriction as regarded the 
German cattle trade, in which they represented that it was 
unjust to the large industrial towns in Lancashire and York- 
shire that London should enjoy a complete monopoly of that 
trade, and the large supply of food arising therefrom. 
Memorials to the same effect w^ere presented from each of 
the other towns. 
Sir Edward Watkin and Mr. Mark Brice also spoke. 
Mr. Forster , in reply, said it had been found impossible 
to put inland towns in the same position as London, or to 
influence the natural difference of price. He reminded the 
deputation that Thames Haven contributed but a small part 
