§ MR. DIGBYasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is true that fresh mutton from Now Zealand has been refused and beef from Russia accepted for British troops at Suakin; and, if so, whether it would not be possible to give a preference to Colonial meat, which would, in certain eventualities, probably become a matter of necessity?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONThe requirement of the Commissariat at Suakin was live cattle. The supply from New Zealand consisted of dead meat, frozen, and unsuited for use at the front. If Colonial live stock could be delivered at a price not greater than that paid for the produce of other countries, there would be every desire to give it the preference.