BRITAIN'S WORK IN EGYPT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2928, 27 April 1910, Page 12

BRITAIN'S WORK IN EGYPT.

" MARVELLOUS PROGRESS." (Faoii Oub Own Cobbespondent.)

AUCKLAND, April 19. Mr J. Bradley, who is visiting the Dominion in the interests of the Egyptian General Mission, gave a Herald representative yesterday some interesting information concerning the political and industrial progress of Egypt. Mr Bradley has lived for upwards of 12 years in the country, and knows both Egypt and the 'xmdan.. "i Th T, .™ anrell <>U6 progress in Egypt under British control in the past quarter tL a ur^"s f<J Mr Bradley, " has been JonU T S -°l ! min * n % Practical and sound administration. Of course," he MnSS m elements have- comthe deliverance and 11 n u° f ll l e .°° unt ry, but the happy results, have been in all cases due to the energy, patience, sympathy, and ability of the great Pro-Consul, Lord Cromer, and tea able subordinates." Mr Bradley went on to say that there was an idea abroad tnat, despite the great advance in civilisation, Egypt was in a more or less Primitive state. This, he declared, was incorrect. As a matter of fact, Egypt could give New Zealand points in several directions. In the matters of railways, Mr Bradley considered our service was slow, out-of-cYifce, and insufficient, while the railways in Egypt and the Soudan were eplandidly equipped and ably administered. Again, in postal matters New Zealand could advantageously take a lead from Egypt by adopting a- system of collecting mails in bags with spring lips that •hP.« been in vogue for some time there. next spoke of the wonderful • -■-—•--:..„' triumph at Assouan, which tiiiu resulted in harneasdng the Nile by the . construction of the Assouan dam, which cost approximately £9,000,000. Egypt was already reaping a golden harvest. Last year, for instance, over two and a-half million sterling was derived in revenue from lands that had benefited by aa stora S« of water at Assouan, and he added that each year since the dam was completed 6000 acres more cotton and rice growing land was being brought into profitable cultivation by the construction of subsidiary irrigating channels. The conservation of water and its distribution were destined to be the greatest factors in the future material well-being of the ancient land of the Pharaohs. This fact is more readily appreciated when it is considered that the annual rainfall throughout Egypt seldom averages more than Bin or 9in, and by controlling the waters of the Nile many hundreds of thousands of acres are capable of being irrigated. Referring to the recent political disturbances in Egypt, Mr Bradley said they found their origin largely in the sedition preached by Mustapha Pasha., who founded the.Nationalists' Party in Egypt. This man was encouraged by a certain section of un-English politicians in a belief that if sufficient pressure were brought to bear the Imperial Government would withdraw from Egypt. He died two years ago, but his influence is still very much felt among the Nationalist party. The, ; ,recent successes of the Young Turkish party in the Ottoman Empire have also helped to encourage this party, which is making such strenuous endeavours to undermine British influence in Egypt. Mr Bradley,. however, said that in his opinion, there is no possible chance of Britain .ever, ..voluntarily.,,.evacuating .. Egypt or the Soudan. He added that any man who. had lived in Egypt could not fail -to realise what a tremendous calamity it would be to the world if the reins of government were ever handed over to an entirely incompetent and illiterate horde," because, as Mr Bradley pointed outy there was barely 40 per cent. of the Egyptians who could either read or write.;//'"' ; " !: J-"'"'V /; ' ■';- >;".•••-.

The Suez , Ganal•'■ -alspj Mr Bradley considered, .would always-: remain under the control of Great Britain, because that great waterway was absolutely essential to her. " Never in the history of Egypt," said Mr Bradlev in conclusion, " ha 6 the

oouiitrv ot«i so veil administered and liberally governed as- at present. The very rapidity with which order has replaced misrule and prosperity succeeded insolvency is proof that the firm hand of England is shaping the destinies of Egypt along the best course., and there is no native power in the country which could .maintain, far less continue, the work of reform for a twelve month if the controlling hand were removed."