1 FEBRUARY 1879, Page 2

Another most important trade is threatened with suspension. Cases of

plearo-pneumonia have been discovered in a cargo of cattle landed at Liverpool from the United States, and the Committee a Privy Council have ordered the whole to be isolated and slaughtered within five days. They are consider- ing, moreover, the propriety of terminating the free import from America, whither, it is believed, the disease has been conveyed through importation of valuable cattle from Europe. The proposal has struck consternation among the importers, whose trade has recently grown so great, and ship-owners, who have been building great steamers specially adapted for the transit of cattle. They are both pressing the Government not to act hastily, and have engaged eminent veterinary surgeons to look after the Government inspectors. Fortunately for the trade, the lauclingport is Liverpool, and this Government always listens to Liverpool representations; while, as American cattle can cross into Canada, there will be great difficulty in distin- guishing between Canadian and American beasts. The alarm, however, is serious, and pleuro-pneumonia in America would be a terrible blow to the West.