GO a market in Euroj.'e. Egypt alone imports this article to the value of .£E. 100,000 annually, and the Soudan should have good prospect of getting possession of this trade. Wlieat, again, is an article Avhich might AVCII be supplied to Egypt from the Soudan, especially in view of the projects for basin irrigation now being carried out in the Dongola 23rovince.

A most remunerative commerce which should be fostered between Egypt and the Soudan, and Avhich is equally in the interests of both, is the cattle trade. Egypt requires meat and cattle for agricultural purposes; the Soudan contains enormous supplies of cattle, sheep and goats, which are at present valueless for want of a market. The practical difficulty in the way of developing a large and remunerative trade in this direction is the constant recurrence of cattle plague in the Soudan, rendering it obligatory on Egyjit for her own safety to prohibit the entry of Soudanese animals. The veterinary services of the two countries are now engaged in elaborating a plan whereby Soudanese cattle could be ke2)t in quarantine locally, under proper supervision, and only allowed into Egypt Avhen proved to be immune. Should the contem-])lated measures prove a success, the export of live animals ought shortly to become one of the most valuable resources of the Soudan.

The amount of gum sent out of the country has increased since last year by over 3,000,000 kilogrammes. It is hoped to develop this source of revenue and encourage the production of Talh gum by letting out to private enterprise suitable areas in the Government forests on the Blue Nile.

The Customs return.s, which represent the results of the first nine months of the year, show that imports of merchandise have decreased by 5 per cent, and imports of specie by 56 per cent,, while exports have increased by 36 per cent. The falling off in imports is doubtle.ss due to the causes Avhich have ])roduced a similar effect in Egypt, and it may be observed that the iuiports fi’om Egypt itself have fallen from .£E. 679,000 to .£E. 6J 0,000, the categories in which this decrease is most noticeable being tobacco and cigm-ettes and cotton piece-goods. Of the total imports, 37 pier cent, were on account of the Government, and 63 per cent, for the public. The total exports hav< increased in value from .£E. 403,000 to £E. 564,000, and those sent direct!}' to Egypt from .£E. 239,000 to £E. 332,000, the latter rise being the result of the large export of maize, to which allusion has already been made.

The Customs Administration has now been organized on sound lines, and is working, under the capable direction of Major Hayes-Sadler, in an efficient and satisfx'itory manner.

III. FINANCE.

lO. Estimates for 1910.

The estimates for the current yearj as Compared with those for 1909, stand as follows :— 1910. 1909.

Itevcmic— (a.) Jrovlnccs j. .. I \k) Dtparlments and other services . (c.) Local provincial services ..

Conlributiou by Egyptian Govern ment Total ,, Expendir-ure— (n.) Provinces (b.) Departments and other services . (c.) Local provincial services..

Total ..

£E 800.000 656.000 58,000 208.000 301.000 860.000 58,000 £E.

1,222,000 1,222,000 It will he seen that the estimates jwovide for an increase of .EE. 76,000 in ordinary e.xpenditure over that of 1909, and for a further reduction of EE. 10,000 in annual contribution made hy the Egyptian Government, the in tlie House of Commons Parliamentary Papers Online. Copyright (c) 2006 ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved.