BRITAIN’S HELP IN EGYPT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17946, 3 May 1928, Page 9

BRITAIN’S HELP IN EGYPT.

“Saved that Country from Ruin.”

LOUD BIRKENHEAD’S DEFENCE.

(United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Australian Press Association —United Service.) (Received May 2, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 1. Lord Birkenhead, speaking at the Imperial Ladies’ Club dinner, said the British interposition in Egypt saved that country from ruin. No more disinterested interposition was ever made by one country in the affairs of another. ' Many great friends of the British Empire thought that in our unilateral agreement we went over far, but they must remember that Egypt stands at the vital arterial point of the communications in the British Empire. We know that foreign communities other than British residents in Egypt reply on ub alone for their protection. It is useless postponing the Assemblies Bill till November, and it is unwise postponing it to any other time, for never can any country with Imperial responsibilities and with obligations to other countries, agree to such legislation. EGYPT’S REPLY. COUCHED IN FRIENDLY TERMS. (United Press Association—By Electrie Telegraph—Copyright.) CAIRO, May 1. It is understood that- Egypt’s reply will be delivered at the Residency this afternoon, douched in friendly terms It expresses the Government’s inability to admit the right of Britain or any other foreign Power to interfere With the , Egyptian Parliament’s legislation, but in Order to demonstrate goodwill and Egypt’s desire to maintain friendly relations toward Britain, the Assemblies Bill would be held over until hext Session.

It expresses a hope that in tiro meantime a basis of a better AngloEgyptian understanding will be reached permitting of the removal of tiro present difficulties.

BILL POSTPONED. SOVEREIGN RIGHTS CLAIMED^ (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) CAIRO, May 1. The terms of the Egyptian • reply (ire confirmed. The reply adds that Egypt has done all she possibly could constitutionally by postponing the progress of the Assemblies Bill, until the next-Parlia-mentary session.

DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENT. FOREIGN MINISTER’S REPLY. (United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, May 1. In the House of Commons, Commander J. M. Kenworthy asked: Are the press statements that warships are going to Egypt accurate P Sir Austen Chamberlain (Minister of Foreign Affairs): I prefer to coitfine the statement to what has already been Said.

Commander Kenworthy: Why this secrecy, seeing that the departure of the warships has been reported in the press? Mr S. SaklatVala: Does Sir A. Chamberlain imply that the publio think it wrOfig to send warships to Egypt? Sir A. Chamberlain: No. We announced in the note that if the Egyptian Government failed to give the assurance asked for we reserved the right to take the necessary action. I think it more courteous to remain silent till Egypt has been given an opportunity to reply.”