CRISIS IN EGYPT

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 March 1925, Page 5

CRISIS IN EGYPT

NEW PARLIAMENT DISSOLVED. Ti t' 'f- ■■■■ ' r ' ■•.

ZAGHLULISTS IN MAJORITY.

'Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

CAIRO, March 23. The Egyptian Parliament, which opened at 10 o’clock this morning with such grandeur, ceased-to exist at ,7.45 .'this, evening, this . doubtless constituting a historical record for the shortest duration for any Parliament. Though it was semi-officially given out several days, ago that a-. dissolution was mevitable.iif the, Government w.ere faced with .an adverse majority, the decree to dissolve came like a thunderclap. , When the members emerged from the building) they found a strong force of steel ; helmeted police drawn .up outside, while both ends of the adjacent streets were controlled by mounted police. The members dispersed quietly. The decree fixes new elections for May 23, and the new Parliament assembles on June 1.. LATER. The end came with dramatic suddenness. The, Premier stopped the proceedings in the Chamber by reading the decree, which was received with vociferous • cheers by the Zaghlulists. The House emptied rapidly Zaghlul Pasha, who was standing with a grave countenance at the head of the gangway, was hastily summoned. ~ The dissolution is due to King Fuad declining to accept the resignation of the Cabinet, following upon Zaghlul Pasha’s election as President of the Chamber. Iffie political situation is explained by the following circumstances: — The Government at first regarded Zaghlul Pasha’s election as President of the Chamber in face of the Government nominee as no more than a personal compliment Moreover, Zaghlul Pasha, in taking his seat and thanking the House for its confidence, said: “As President of the Chamber, I shall not represent any particular party, but the constitution and the law.” The Chamber afterwards, however, elected two Government vice-presidents they receiving 121 and 119 votes respectively. The full House comprises 214 delegates. Zirwar Pasha, the Premier, thereupon decided to resign. It seems slear that a number of tbe delegates elected as Independents and anti-Wada, maintained an adherence to the Wada organisation. Zaghlul Pasha, since the elections, has persist, ently maintained that 'many of the candidates claimed by the Government as anti-Zaghlulists, would support him in Parliament. Events prove this to be correct.

PREMIER INTERVIEWED. (“Times” Service.) LONDON, March 24. “The Times’s” Cairo correspondent (says that Premier Zirwar Pasha, in an interview, said that dissolution was the only course possible. He declared that it was perfectly obvious the majority intended .to persist in the disastrous policy which provoked the British ultimatum. This.was plainly«manifested by the; Chamber choosing as President the man solely and notoriously responsible . for that policy. The dissolution therefore, was the only solution, , '

Ziwar added that the Government, meantime, would remain in office, safeguarding all interests indiscriminately. He sincerely poped that the next Parliament would .have a saner outlook. LABOUR PRESS COAIAIENT. LONDON. March 24. The “Daily Herald’s” political correspondent describes , the dismissal of the Egyptian Chamber as “high-hand-ed,” and says: ,/Apparently, in. no event is’ a, Zaghlul Government to be. allowed to take office'. The Egyptian people may have a Parliament only on thecondition that they, elect members subservient to the occupying Power.” The correspondent, however, leaves out-of Account the tragic event which resulted- in the downfall of Zaghlul’s last Adin inistratiorr; .