THE EGYPTIAN FUNDS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 32, 3 June 1896, Page 2

THE EGYPTIAN FUNDS.

Tin; Mixed Tribunal with which rests the final decision as to the diversion of the Egyptian reserve fund for the Soudan Expedition, has declared that such diversion is illegal, whereat France will be highly delighted. England will probably have to refund the amount, but that will not stop the campaign or cause the British to evacuate Egypt. If the decision of the Mixed Tribunal is regarded as favourable to France the Republic gains nothing, but the Aglophobists will have something to say with respect to perfidious Albion, and wo may trust these braggarts to howl for vengeance. It is morally impossible for England •to evacuate Egypt, and our occupation of the land of Pliaroah is somewhat similar to the occupation of Tunis by the French. The British will leave Egypt as soon as the native is capable of governing himself, but there is no immediate prospect of that, and England must remain in the country. . The British occupation has been remarkably good for the Egyptians, for under British guidance the country has recovered solvency. The effect of English rule is shown in the Egyptian finance, and the following figures are tersely eloquent:— Year. Surplus. Deficit. XE XE 188:5 ••• 920,000 1884 ... 460.000 1885 ••• 697,000 188(3 ••• 684,000 1887 ... 111,000 1888 •■• 1,000 1889 ... 160,000 1890 ... 591,000 1891 ... 951,000 1892 ... 769,000 1898 ... 720,000 1894 ... 785,000 1895 ... 1,088,000 This excellent condition of the Egyptian finance has not been obtained by grinding the faces of the fellaheen. In the period from 1887 to 1895 inclusive, the direct taxation has been reduced to the extent of about £E1,100,000 a year, and arrears of land-tax have been remitted to the tune of £E1,245,000. The salt-tax, a pressing burden on the poorer classes, has been cut down by 40 per cent-., and the postal and telegraph rates by 50 per cent. The only increase in taxation has taken the shape of a small extra duty on tobacco.