PROGRESS IN EGYPT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21982, 13 December 1934, Page 18

PROGRESS IN EGYPT

TALK TO OVERSEAS CLUB « Features of Egyptian life were discussed by Mr. J. F. G. Hopkins in an address at a luncheon held yesterday by the Auckland branch of the Overseas Club. 'Mr. Hopkins served in Egypt from 1897 to 1923, part of the time as Chief Inspector of Finance and latterly as Comptroller of Commerce and Industries. The country was making tremendous advances, said Mr. Hopkins. Although there was still much waste land to be brought into cultivation, the greater part of the country was divided into small holdings, many of theni as small as one-twelfth of an acre. The one aim of the owners was to save every penny they could and acquire a little more land. The principal Egyptian crop was cotton. Exports had increased tremendously in recent years and the cotton from Upper Egypt was generally acknowledged to be the finest in the world. "There is still a great deal of crime in Egypt," said the speaker, "and there is a noticeablo disregard for human life. Murders are very frequent and often are perpetrated on the barest of pretexts. Murderers can be hired quite cheaply." Drug trafficking was rife, but strenuous efforts wero being made to stamp out the'evil. Mr. Hopk ins advised intending visitors to Egypt to time their arrival for November or December, when the climate was particularly pleasant. "There are too many delusions about being nearly baked to death when you go there," he said. It was often very cold in the evenings.