WHAT OTHER WRITERS ARE SAYING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17864, 4 June 1926, Page 8

WHAT OTHER WRITERS ARE SAYING.

Trouble in Egypt. A situation of some gravity has arisen from the Egyptian elections. In the ordinary course of events Zaghiiil Pasha's sweeping victory at the polls would have meant his immediate succession to Ziwar Pasha as head, of a new Government. His disrepute as a mischief-maker, to put the fact very moderately, has led, however, to requests by Britain’s representative for certain guarantees from him, and these have not been forthcoming. Accordingly. Ziwar Pasha remains tentatively in office while the British Cabinet considers the position. It is evident that the conditional independence granted to Egypt some four years ago may have to be critically reviewed. Some questions, it will be recalled, were left in reserve, and these have already been the subject of disturbing upheaval. Both Egypt’s relation to the Sudan and the garrisoning of Suez have been made bones of contention, and Zaghlul Pasha has fomented intrigue against Britain. Recently the British Government has been given cause for serious dissatisfaction in the weak trial of the men charged with the murder of the late Sirdar, and in this matter Zaghlul has been reasonablv suspected of complicity--“ Herald,” Auckland.

Profits at Coleridge. “On the year’s working, the Coleridge power scheme,” declared the Prime Minister at Auckland on Thursdav last, “shows a profit of £24.463, but there is an accumulated deficiency to be paid off.” The Prime Minister added that the returns are fving, since they mean that £6724 is available to begin paying the sinking fund. The sum of £18,500 has be refunded to the Christchurch City Council. The ratepayers of Timaru, who tax themselves to provide a standby plant to “carry on” when the Coleridge supply fails, will doubtless receive. the Prime Minister's statement with a good deal of interest. Moreover, it is quite patent that the districts outside the Christchurch area, which are supplied by Coleridge, are being penalised to enable the Public Works Department to supply the City with cheap current. Mr Coates suggests that the profit made last year should not be regarded as an indication that the Department is making too much money out of the Coleridge scheme. On the contrary, there is an accumulated deficiency to be wiped out. “The profit,” the Minister of Public Works explained, “has been utilised in reducing the deficiency which had accumulated on the profit and loss in the early years, from £23,172 to £17,738.” From the initiation of the scheme, the consumers supplied by Christchurch have been enjoying the benefits of cheap hydro-elect nc energy for heating, lighting, and power purposes while other customers of Coleridge have been making good the losses the Department made on account of the absurdly generous agreement made with the. City of Christchurch.—“Herald,'' Timaru.