55 407 The last two years have witnessed a great shrinkage in tlie import of metals into Eaypt. The figures for 1908 were £E. 1,000.000 less than in 1907, and those fur 1909 show a similar decrease compared with the previous year.

The largest fall is under the headings of locomotives and rolling stock, practically none having been imported with the exception of about £E. 14,000 worth from Belgium.

The decrease in the import of wrought iron and steel has been almost entirely borne by Great Britain. Belgium, the second largest importer, has nearly maintained her place. This may be in part due to the cheaper quality of the Belgian article.

In spite of a considerable decrease in the total import of motor cars, the share of Great Britain has risen from £E. 5,820 to £E. 0,193.

14. The value of goods received by parcel post has increased from £E. 706,054 to £E. 760,898. Imports by parcel post from Great Britain show an increase of 22 per cent, over the previous year, which is duo to the extension of the system of cash on delivery between the two countries.

Other increases from Great Britain in this category are lamps from £E. 4,271 to £E. 8,390, tar from £E. 8,833 to £E. 13,726, and instruments of precision, surgery, &c., from £E. 12,832 to £E. 18,532. Electrical apparatus from Great Britain has decreased from £E. 49,812 to £E. 43,415.

Bxyorls.

The total amount of exports from Egypt in 1909, including cigarettes, was £E. 26,076,239, compared with £E. 21,315,673 in 1908.

The figures for the principal countries are as follows :— Proportion of total.

1908.

Proportion of total. Amount.

f Great Britain < British possessions in Mediterranean [British posses-sions in Far East 2. Germany 3. France .. 4. America..

0. Eussia ..

G. Aus(ria-IInngary Per cetit.

50*2 0*0;V 0*4“ 9*5 8*8 7*3 5-8 5*0 £E. 13,099,910 11,670 110.175 2,481,826 2,298,541 1,902,498 1,515,614 l,*i91,84S Per cent.

52*3 0*0i 0* 8* 7' 5* *7 •7 •9 *4 6*4 4*8 £E. 11,147,800 9,022 149,666 1,848,932 1,687,4*24 1,136,600 1.377,.577 1,030,072 The figures in this and the succeeding table are, however, ini.sleading for purposes of comparison, as Sir Eldon Gorst points out in Chapter 9 of his report. “ The amount of cotton,” it is there stated, “ exported in 1909 is higher than the average for the last three years, although the recent crop is a particularly short one. 'this is due to the fact that the 1908- crop was late, and consequently a larger proportion than usual was exported in the following year, while, on the other hand, the 1909 crop was pushed forward for export owing to the high prices prevailing in November and December.

. . . . The deficiency in this season’s yield will not appear till the returns for 1910 are made up.”

The share of Great Britain is shown in the following table :— 'rotal.

Amount. Value.

Great Britain.

Oottou Cotton seed ..

f 1909 ’• 11908 f 1909 •• 11908 Kautars. 6,952,480 6,348,489 Ardebs. 3,308,118 3,741,654 £E. 21,477,745 17,091,603 2,432,939 2,470,996 Amount.

Kantars. 3,407,445 3,124,119 Ardebs. 2,5-»4,919 3,154,558 Value.

£R 10,524,015 8,428,847 1,868,550 2,086,643 N.B.—1 kantar = 44*928 kilogTamme.s.

J ardeb = 198 litres.

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