EGYPTIAN POLITICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 276, 20 November 1926, Page 9

EGYPTIAN POLITICS.

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. ZAGHLULISTS ACTIVE. (Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 19. "Mutual confidence is daily growing stronger," said King Fuad of Egypt, at the opening of Pariament, when emphasising the friendly relations existing between Britain and Egypt, says a message from the Cairo correspondent of the "Times."

Zaghlul Pasha was re-elected President of the Chamber of Deputies. The revival of the Wafdists is suggested by the fact that students greeted the King as he was driving to Parliament House with pro-Zaghlul cries. The activities of the students were formerly' an outstanding feature of the Wafdists' political organisation. In his speech at the opening, Zaghlul said he prayed the Almighty would help Parliament to safeguard the Constitution and preserve the country from intrigues. The draft Constitution of Egypt, promulgated in April, 1923, declares Egypt to be a Soverign State, its monarchy hereditary and its government representative, and grants to Egyptians equal legal, civil and political rights. Islam is the State religion and Arabic the official language. Reservations to this grant of independence are: Security of British communications in Egypt, means defence, protection of British interests, and the question of the Sudan, which are reserved to the discretion of the British Government. Zaghlul Pasha has fomented intrigue against Britain and devoted his energies to the consolidation of Egypt and the repulsion of British control. He demands for Egypt complete territorial independence of any other foreign Power and also control of the Nile and the Suez Canal. Zaghlul claims that there can be no freedom for Egypt' until the Sudan is returned to the Egyptians, claiming that the possession of the Sudan means dominion over Egypt.