Printed papers on the political situation and military policy in Egypt [‎50r] (99/176)

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these industries are handicapped by inadequate technical resources, and an endeavour
was made to point out how they could put themselves on a footing which would
enable them to face foreign competition successfully.
Experimental Research.
20^. Research work on Egyptian (Hurghada) petroleum was continued through
out the year. Since the refinement of the oil on a large scale has hitherto been limited
to the production of petroleum spirit, kerosene and fuel oil by straightforward distil
lation and chemical treatment, it was necessary to examine its suitability for the
production of pitch, lubricating oil and paraffin-wax.
203. The principal technical difficulties in connection with the above work have
been overcome, but the question as to whether the manufacture should actually be
undertaken at the new Government refinery at Suez cannot be settled until market
prices have become sufficiently stabilised to show which products are likely to prove
most profitable.
204. The contamination of some of the Hurghada crude petroleum with salt
water, resulting in the formation of a tenacious emulsion, still causes considerable
inconvenience and difficulty in refining. After careful study of several processes for
separating the salt and water from the oil, the conclusion lias been reached that the
electrical method (use of a high-tension alternating current) is the most satisfactory
from the practical point of view.
34. Assay Office.
205. The amount of gold and silver wares submitted to the assay offices in Cairo,
Alexandria, Beni Suef and Tanta for assay and hall-marking during the financial
year ending the 31st March, 1921, remained at the same high level as in the previous
twelve months. The total gross revenue from assay dues amounted to £E. 37.677,
which is EE. 547 more than in the previous year. Tlie approximate bullion value of
the wares dealt with, taking gold at the standard rate, was £E. 2,660,000.
206. The price of gold in the bazaars, which had fallen rapidly during 1920,
maintained a downward tendency during 1921. The English sovereign (P.T. 97^)
fluctuated between P.T. 106 and P.T. 122^, with an average price for 1921 of
P.T. 114 per sovereign, or P.T. 20 less than the average price for 1920. The price
on the 31st December, 1921, was P.T. 110. The price of silver fell considerably
during 1921, the average price being 17 milliemes per dirhem (1/10 oz. troy) of pure
silver, as compared w ith 24^ milliemes during 1920. The price on the 31st December,
1921, w^as 16-75 milliemes per dirhem.
207. Legislation was introduced for a proper control of gold and silver wares
imported into Egypt, and such wares were regularly inspected at the customs on
arrival.
208. The general inspection of jewellery establishments in Egypt during the
past financial year was greatly increased, a tolal of 1,701 being carried out, resulting
in 81 prosecutions and fines amounting to £E. 25.
209. Many improvements in the accommodation and equipment of the Assay
Office were effected and the standard of work brought up to a higher standard of
technical efficiency.
210. Owing principally to the general fall in prices during 1921, and especially
to the fall in cotton, the amount of w ares submitted from the 31st March, 1921, to the
end of December 1921 has shown a decline from the high levels of the two previous
years, but hardly to the extent anticipated.
35. State Domains.
Rents.
211. In spite of the uncertainty and depression prevailing in agricultural
matters throughout the year no marked difficulty was experienced in the collection
of rents. This was partly due to reduction amounting to £E. 52,992, made in accord
ance with the Agricultural Rents Law of the 1st May, 1921. Immediately after the
promulgation of this law the administration appointed a committee, which discussed
the situation with the tenants and adjusted rentals by mutual agreement on lines
laid down in the law, thus avoiding reference to the special courts of arbitration
established.
212. Evidence of the confidence and good relationship existing between the
administration and its tenants is afforded by the fact that out of many hundred