DISTURBANCES IN EGYPT

Taranaki Daily News, 1 August 1930, Page 9

DISTURBANCES IN EGYPT

DISCUSSION IN COMMONS ATTACK UPON GOVERNMENT LABOUR POLICY OUTLINED British Wireless. Rugby, July 30. The House of Commons agreed to the Foreign Office vote fast night after a debate in which the Opposition rgissd the question of Egypt. Air. Winston Churchill mada a.Vigorous attack on the Government's Egyptian policy, contrasting the recent (Jiaortlers iq Egypt wifh the conditions of q yea? ago, and arguing that the Labour Government's policy was responsible for tile existence in tfiat country of two rival autocracies. The Prime Minister (Mr. Ramsay- Mac-' Donald), defending the Government’s policy, said Britain's mission in Egypt was confined now to the safeguarding of four specific points, one of which was the responsibility for foreign life and propertyin Egypt. To refuse to accept that responsibility would be criminal folly. Id was for that, reason that warships were ordered to Alexandria, to atand by, That would be done again and again whenever the necessity might arise, so long as no agreement had been received on that reserved point. Owing to rhe state of affairs in Egypt to-day the warships had found it possible to leave. The events of (he last few weeks, he proceeded, arose out of the internal affairs in Egypt. The British Government was pot concerned with any change of constitution in Egypt except as fay aa its effect, might be to put in jeopardy foreign life and property. During the recent disturb’, ancea law and. order had been preserved by Egyptian troops and British troops wore not involved. No official complaints, of inadequate, protection had been received by the British Government from foreign Powers.

The British GovermuenPa action in warning both the Government and the Opposition in Egypt of their responsibility towards foreigners bad been justified. It had been made clear that the British Government would fulfil its responsibilities? but would not take sides in the internal politics of Egypt. Mr. HugS Dalton, Parliamentary S.eeretary for Foreign Affairs, concluding the debate, said there was no intention to ;keep a British garrison in Egypt.