77 
‘ 
Probable Meat Trade with Feypt. | be 
Ix his report to the Home Secretary on the possibilities attending the ae 
opening up of a fresh market for tinned meats and for the disposal of live eas 
cattle, dated Gth April, 1897, Mr. Finucane, Queensland Commercial Agent == 
in Southern Europe, states his impression that a live cattle trade might be 
initiated in Eeypt with a fair prospect of success. During interviews held with 
officers who had experience with Australian meat in Malta and in England, he 
found that in every case the meat was reported on favourably. ‘The principal 
obstacle to a paying trade in Egypt is the price. The authorities provision the 
garrison at Cairo at 83d. per 1b. all round for beef and mutton, and General 
Knowles, commanding the army of occupation, had recently (6th April, 1897) 
signed a contract at that price for the ensuing twelve months. The Egyptian 
meat supplies are drawn from the following countries :— 
Mesopotamia and Odessa ... af ... Cattle. 
Syria... BY) oo ox on ... Sheep. 
Greece He sh ae cx. ... Pigs. vi 
Owing to the prevalence of disease amongst these animals, the Chief ee 
Veterinary Inspector of the Government of Egypt and others are anxious to ae 
put a stop to the importation of cattle from these countries. me 
Acting on the advice of the former gentleman, Mr. Finucane waited on : 
Lord Cromer, and asked if His Lordship would submit the question of | 
facilitating the introduction of Queensland cattle into Egypt. 
This the latter at once consented to do, and pending a reply it would 
be well for the Pastoralists’ Association and others interested in the meat 
export trade to consider the question of sending cattle to Egypt, and then to 
strengthen Mr. Finucane’s position by supplying him with full information as 
to freights, the supply that can be relied on, weight of beasts, prices that will 
pay, and especially as to Government guarantee that cattle shipped are_free 
from disease. ort 
The latter item is of paramount importance, as since writing his report 
our agent has seen all the officials concerned, and they are quite willing to — 
facilitate the introduction of live cattle if guaranteed sound by the Govern: 
ment. 
TINNED MEATS. : 
Tt would appear from the report under consideration that eventually a 
good market may be found in Egypt for Australian tinned meats, which are 
absolutely unknown there, American goods being in general use. ari 
Mr. Finucane makes several suggestions as to advertising their meats in 
the country, which will no doubt commend themselves to Queensland export i 
of tinned meats companies. me ate 
Meanwhile the attention of the companies interested has been directed to 
Mr. Finucane’s report, and they will thus be in a position to take whatever 
action they may think best to open up what may prove’a very lucrative trade. 
A list is appended to the report showing the number and kinds of | 
animals slaughtered at various centres in Egypt for food during the month of — 
January, 1897 :— : 
Bullocks and bulls... as an, os «. 1,967 
Gowsne aes: ‘ mt oe: at it wilslos 
Buffaloes An ae iS ae <i an lpi 
Calves see ose oe eee eee oes ose 6,688 
Sheep... ee an ae a - 26,078 
Goats ... Fe ay a Se 613 
12 aS aaa ria pam PES MPS MRT) 
Camels ... “ ie Ten re ee ae 79 
TothlinstaY Mite wether sbetttae sem ag lob4 
Besides wh'ch number 1,824 were destroyed as being unfit for food. 
