EGYPT UNDER KITCHENER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15822, 22 July 1913, Page 8

EGYPT UNDER KITCHENER.

SOME NOTABLE REFORMS. THE COUNTRY" PROSPERING. (Fitosi Ode Own Correspondent.) LONDON, May 31. Lord Kitchener's annual report on Egypt and the Soudan has made a most favourable impression, proving his great concern for the welfare of the poor fellaheen. The most eloquent tribute to his work lias been the gradual decline of the Nationalist agitation, till it is now practically extinct. The Nationalist Club in Cairo is now deserted, and the land-, lord recently seized the furniture for rent. "There has been a marked diminution of party feel|ng and party strife," Lord Kitchener says, "and 1 notice indications of greater confidence in fcho Government, particularly among the silent mass of the people. I hope 1 am not too optimistic in considering these to be 6igns that in the near future the population will be again closely united, and, while placing personal interests aside, will endeavour to work loyally for the common good and to further the real interests of their country." TO PROMOTE CONTENTMENT.

One of the pieces of legislation from which most is hoped for is the Five Feddan Law which was passed last year. It gives the cultivation of holdings of five fcddans or Jess—a feddan is two-thirds of an acre—protection from the seizure for debt of his land, house, and fanning utensils. This protection was rendered necessary by the action of foreign usurers, who tempted the peasants, to borrow, charging often 30 or 40 per cent. A reform which Lord. Kitchener hopes to institute is the standardisation of weights and measures. Most of. the instruments in use are quite untrustworthy, and fraud is prevalent. Foreigners who are tried before the mixed tribunal can be fined only £1 or seven days' imprisonment for such frauds. Another reform referred fo is the Cantonal Justice Law, which establishes notables as unpaid magistrates in small areas of a few villages only, and Lord Kitchener _ expresses the hope that by promptly meting out justice and, effecting reconciliations in matters in dispute they will reduce crime and bring contentment to the poorer classes of the people. If the Government be reproached with its failure to reduce the public, debt in the last 30 years, it may be replied that the economic regeneration of the country has been meanwhile secured by national expenditure of a capital nature, which, although it has not had that result, might well have justified an increase in the public debt. In this connection it is pointed out that some £30,000,000 have been spent on public works and railways out of the resources of the country without recourse to foreign capital.

COTTON'S INCREASED PRICE. Remarking on the general character of the economic situation of the country, with its perennial water supply and extraordinary fertility of. soil, Lord Kitchener says: "It was not until the close of the last century that prices relating to the cotton crop began to show the definite upper tendency which in the course of half a dozen years doubled the value of the exports, and thus enabled the country to reap in a short space of time the full benefit of the improvements patiently carried out for so many years. It was, perhaps, inevitable that the sudden accession of wealth, instead of being employed to reduce indebtedness or to strengthen local capital should have stimulated expenditure, promoted speculation In land and slocks, and resulted in an increase of private indebtedness to foreign creditors." The level of prosperity which the country has now reached reposes, in a very considerable measure, on th« maintenance of the price of cotton which has prevailed during the past few years. YOUNG EGYPT. "Ever since I entere-d upon ,my present duties," says Lord Kitchener, '"I have been anjeious to arrange some practical means of improving the conditions and environments of young Egyptians who are sent by their parents to study in Europe. The Government has now taken tho matter in hand, and, in consultation with the fathers or guardians of the students, are arranging to place inspectors in each country who will keep in touch with these youths, regulate their studies and conduct, and supervise their holidays. lam glad to observe that the University of Oxford is prepared to institute a local committee which will give material assistance in the case of Egyptian undergraduates." j