England in Egypt.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15014, 8 July 1914, Page 8

England in Egypt.

Those who much regret that Lord Kitchener is not employed at the War Office .hare at least the satisfaction of knowing that he is doing splendid work in Egypt. Indeed,, there is probably no work in tho Empire besides that of reorganising Britain's land forces for which he is bettor qualified. In tho opinion of all authorities, ho is a great success in Egypt, and tho prosperity of the country and the dying-down of sedition support their opinion. Wo have always known that Lord Kitchener was strong, but the popular conception of him has not given him credit for much tact and sympathy. Yet he has displayed both in Egypt. The iron conqueror of the Sudan has won the love of the fellaheen. His reports for 1913, extracts from which appeared in our. London Lotter on. Saturday, shows the statesman's mind. It is particularly interesting to note how British policy in Egypt moves slowly, but always hopefully, towards a fuller measure of representative government "for tho people of the country. Already the Egyptians enjoy a measure of self-government which will surprise most Englishmen.

Tho legislature's functions, it is true, have been largely consultative, but in the amalgamation of the Houses last year the power of initiative was in- j creased. Outside Parliament tho people j havo a largo say in the management of their own affairs. Tho Provincial Councils havo proved a success. In thirteen of tho larger towns and thirtyfive of the smaller ones there are forms of municipal government resembling town councils. Describiug the effect of these measures of self-government on the people, Lord Kitchener says:— "It will be seen that a continually increasing number of citizens havo been successively summoned to take part in the administration of the country, both in tho lower representative institutions, such as the municipalities and Provincial Councils, as well as finally in the Legislative- A&sembly itself. A .steady decentralisation of .governmental functions in favour of local bodies, and a constant extension of the attributions of thrso borlirs themselves, combined with increased . participation of the people in the management of their own affairs, are tho 'main characteristic* of tho political and administrative evolution of the representative institutions in tho different strata in which tho economic life of tho community is centred. I havo little doubt that this development has had a highly bpneficial effect on the morals and character of the people, and has materially assisted their advance in the path of civic and domestic progress." In the past the utility of these institutions has been impaired by tho desiro of certain members to tako tho ascent of democracy at a rush, but tho British policy is to mako hasto slowly, and no one is better qualified to put it into practice than the soldier who, in his advance into tho Sudan, never advauced until everything was ready. Tho same sound policy has marked the financial control of the country. In this connexion Lord Kitchener feels obliged to utter a warning, which may strike many as unnecessary becauso of its obviousness:—"At the present june- " turo it is necessary to lay emphasis " on the obvious fact that the spending '' power of a nation, like that of an in- " dividual, is limited by its resources. " However patent this truth may be, "it is frequently overlooked by those " who think it sufficient that tho urgency of any measure of public bene- " fit should bo demonstrated in order "to make it tho duty of tho Govern- " ment to undertake it." Such a warning, platitudinous -as it may seem, is not unneeded in New Zealand, where there are pcoplo who appear to think the State is a magician, who can make gold as ho wants it. Tho Sudan, in spito of a bad season, has not only paid its way, but has made progress. Here, again, though tho change in sixteen years is a magnificent monument to tho dominant raco, much more remains to bo dono, including tho bringing of outlying districts fully under British control. This is a matter of finance, and, like other plans, has to wait. The picture ono gets of Egypt is of a land progressive, for the most part contented, 1 and extremely well by farseeing disinterested men, who havo clear heads, steady hands, and sure feet. .',..■