EGYPT'S DEMANDS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIC, Issue 13433, 4 November 1907, Page 7

EGYPT'S DEMANDS.

NATIONAL PARTY'S PROPOSALS. The following communication has been addressed to ' Sir Edward Grey by the editor-proprietor of the -Cairo journal " Al-Minbar " : ■■'-.'■' "Sir, —I have the honour to submit to you the enclosed outline" of the views and! wishes of th* Egyptian nation as regards the changes "in the "administration of Egypt which we have reason to believe will be satisfactory to our people, having been already sanctioned by tlie' General .Assembly at its recent meeting, and which appear to us to be of-a nature which His .-Majesty's Government may properly agree • to.. ■ : . • " The proposals for establishing the Constitution which I have the honour to submit aw based on the schemes put forward by the Earl of Dufferin in 1883;. These proposals are capable of; expansion or modification, as may be, deemed expedient, when the details are arranged; but we venture to think that they are i-he minimum of the reforms necessary for the reasonable satisfaction of the Egyptian people, in accordance with the pledges repeatedly given to them by the representatives of His Majesty's Government." Enclosed is the programme of the Egyptian National Party, of which the follow r ing are the principal points: "I.' Free and, compulsory education in kuttabs and primary, schools. "2. Arabic to be the medium of instruction in all schools. "3. The creation of a Constitution under which legislative powers should be conferred upon the. General Assembly and Legislative Council, so far as concerns Egyptians" and purely Egyptian interests. ; . "4. Government officials of European ..nationality to be gradually replaced by Egyptians. "5. Criminal jurisdiction of consular courts to be transferred to mixed courts." The subsidiary points are set out as follows :—■ '.'l., Release of Denshawai prisoners, and _ amendment, of Decree of. 1895, concerriing'thespecial court. "2. A Tnunicipal - government for Cairo. "3, Village ; omdehs.to• be- elected by. the whote. mass of tie villagers." ; Then' follow proposals for establishing an-Egyptian Constitution; to include the Legislative Council and the. General Assemblv : "1. Electoral Law, 1883.—The only amendment -proposed is .to substitute direct for indirect representation. "2. Organic Law, 1883.—Retain two Chambers as as present. Let the Legislative Council be' the lower or First Chamber and the General As- ; sembly the Second Chamber. Retain the same number of Members in the Eirst Chamber,: but substitute seven Under Secretaries -of Stated—one for each . Ministry—for seven of the nominated' members. ■■ Second Chamber to be constituted as at. present, save that the Members „of the First Chamber are to be excluded therefrom, except when deliberating upon-Uhe Budget Proposals,. - Annual Sessions of'isnffi- ; . i cienfr length to pemrit -of proper dis-1 cuesion.

"3. Qualification of Members of both Chambers to be identical, viz., £E2O •paid hi taxation on property per annum. This would necessitate the lowering of the property qualification for the First Chamber. '' 4. Sittings of both Chambers to ba free to the public and Pirns. '-'5. Rules of Procedure to be passed byit Joint Committee of both '.Chambers. "6. All Government measures to be intro■dueid into the First Chamber. Private Members of both Chambers may initiate legislation in the Chamber to which they belong. "7. No law from and after the promulgation of this decree "to be valid unless it has been voted by both Chambers itnd received' the assent of the Khedive. "8. The veto of the Khedive may be overridden by a vote of two-thirds majority of both Chambers. " 9. Accounts for preceding year and Bud:get to be presented to both Chambers on March 1' and to be dealt, with by March 31. " 10. President and two Vive-presidents for each. Chamber to be elected by the Chambers themselves. . " 11. Powers of Chambers.—Full jurisdiction in all matter!? which are purely Egyptian. , " 12. Foreign Residents.—Foreigner's not to been'.itled to vote for Members of the Legislative Council, and. General Assembly, but 1 any limitations necessary to secure foreign Powers and foreigners from legislative interference to be accepted."