EMPEROR’S ADVISER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 151, 7 April 1933, Page 8

EMPEROR’S ADVISER.

LONDON MAN’S POST. WORK IN ABYSSINIA. Mr Frank de Halpert, a Londoner, is sailing for Abyssinia, shortly to help the Emperor, Ras Tafari (“King of Kings of Ethiopia, Conquering Lion of Judah,” “The Elect of God”) to rid Ills country of slavery. He has heen appointed adviser to the new Slavery Department set up by the Emperor, the object of which is to liberate all slaves, police the frontiers to prevent slave raids and to make it impossible for new slaves to be acquired. There are still something like half a million slaves in Abyssinia—an actual figure is impossible, as there is no census—and the Emperor has promised Lord NoeLßuxton, who headed a mission from the Anti-Slavery Society, that lie will abolish slavery within 15 to 20 years. Mr de Halpert has spent nearly three years in Abyssinia as adviser to the Minister of the Interior. Before that he was attached to the Egyptian Government. “The Emperor,” he said, “is more powerful now than he has been since his accession, and is determined to stamp out slavery and civilise his country. First of all he will send picked men to the frontiers, where there are still raids carried out, to prevent the seizing of new slaves in inter-tribal fights. These raids are mostly the result of tribal feuds. Blacks on the Sudan border cross the river and carry off women and children. The raids are carried out secretly and swiftly and it is difficult to trace whether the seized natives are sold into .slavery or not. “There have already heen set up 55 slavery courts in various parts of the country where slaves may ask the judge for freedom on different grounds, including ill-treatment. “The new department to which I. am adviser has as its head a ‘Jive wire’ who is an aristocrat. His assistant, also a young noble, has just been to France, obtained a copy of ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ and translated it for the benefit of Ids countrymen. “Abyssinia is gradually becoming more civilised. There have heen big strides in the last few years. The Emperor lives a model life, with his wife and family. He is up. at 5.30 every morning, and works at least 12 hours a day. The new department comes directly under him. “Apart from the abolition of slavery he plains to build roads all over the country, when money is available, -and to introduce a new system of taxation, something like income tax. At present there are no roads and it takes months to travel about on a mule. And the taxation is principally a primitive tithe on crops. “There are, however,' many telephones, and wireless is making its appearance in the most remote parts. Abyssinia is not quite so barbarian as people imagine.”