THE CATTLE TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS. 
427 
tected herself, and the fearful danger that existed might be 
seen by the extent to which cattle plague had increased in 
France, where it had been introduced by a few herds of the 
Steppe cattle, imported with others for the use of the German 
army. Therefore it was impossible for the Privy Council at 
present to put Germany in the same position as Holland. 
He would, however, look into the matter again (hear, hear) ; 
but his firm belief was, that to carry the live animals into 
towns, restrictions would have to be made which he feared 
the deputation would regard as a mockery on his part. He 
warned them them that if their present demand was granted 
the larger supply of Dutch cattle would be materially affected, 
it being impossible to make restrictions which should not 
apply to the whole of the foreign cattle. Hull and Grimsby 
were both opposite Holland, and in that they had such an 
advantage over London, that the Dutch trade might be 
attracted to them. He felt, therefore, that it would be doing 
harm to those ports rather than good, to make an opening in 
the German trade by restricting that of the Dutch. Few 
things had ever given him more anxiety than that, and at his 
last concession with regard to Holland the farming interest 
had become extremely angry, and his friend Mr. Read, the 
member for Norfolk, was going to bring the matter in their 
interest before the House. He promised to give the subject 
his earnest consideration ; but he repeated that, in his opinion, 
if their application was granted more harm than good would 
be occasioned. 
Sir Edward Watlrin said the deputation would be ready 
to promise that both the conveyance and the distribution of 
the cattle should be isolated, and that the limitation of time 
should be respected ; and he asked what was the difference 
between their position and that of London. 
Mr. Forster said that within the last month he had thrown 
open the ports of Holland, which imported 76,000 cattle last 
year, and he should like to know how the deputation would 
be benefited if both that supply and the German were fettered 
on account of the suggested extension. He did not appre- 
hend any increase in the German supply, believing that if it 
had been possible to obtain it the cattle would have been sent 
to London, where the prices were much higher than usual. 
In the six years prior to I860 the average number of cattle 
imported annually to England was t l6 1 , 000 ; in 1869 it 
was 216,000, and in 1870 , 201,000. The importation of 
sheep was free, except to those arriving with German 
cattle. 
Mr. Price said that distinction was virtually useless, seeing 
