MODERN EGYPT.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 796, 20 April 1910, Page 2

MODERN EGYPT.

PROGRESS UNDER BRITISH RBtW POLITICAL DISTCEBAJJCES. (By Telesrrarh.—SDecial; OorresDondentl Auckland, April 19. ') Mr. Wflliam Bradley, who is visitingt the Dominion in the interests of th«' Egyptian General Mission, gave a' "Herald" representative 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 Soudan. > "The marvellous progress 01 Egypt under British control in the past quarter of a century," said Mr. Bradley* - "has been the outcome of eminently practical' and sound administration, of .course. Many other elements have combined to forward the deliverance and revival, of the country, but the happy results have been in all cases due to the energy, patience, sympathy, and ability of th« great pro-consul, Lord Cromer, and his able subordinates." Mr. Bradley went on to say that there was an idea abroad that, despite tha' great advance in civilisation, Egypt was ■in a less primitive state, This and as a matff, ot >='. Egypt, could give New Zealand points m several directions. In the matters, of railways,; Mr.- Bradley considered our service was slow, out-of-date, and insufficient, while the railways & Hgypt- and .the Soudan were splendidly equipped'and ably administered.' -'• Again, in postal; matters New Zealand could advantageously take, a lead from Jigypt by adopting a system of collecting mails m bags with spring lips'that'hag ?? '?> To ? w> for sonve time there. ' Mr. Bradley next spoke of the wonderful, engineering triumph at Assouan, which had resulted in- harnessing the AUo by the construction of the Assouan ™ n LJT h K l cost > approximately, £9,000,000. Egypt was already reaping a.golden' harvest. Last year, for instance, over two and a half millions sterling was'derived in revenue from lands that had benefited by the storage,of water at Assouan, and, each- year since the dam was completed 6000 acres more cotton and rice-growing, land was being brought' into profitable cultivation by. the con-. . oti 2? 9f subsidiary irrigating : chan: s?ffl '., T , he '■ conservation of water' and" its' distribution were destined to bathe 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 seli ; dom averages more than eight or nine inches, 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 tho sedition, preached bv Mustapha .Pasha, who founded the Nationalist- party in Egypt. This man was encouraged by a'. certain section of un-English, politicians' rn a belief that if sufficient pressure were, brought to bear the Imperial Govern-: .ment would withdraw'from Egypt: Hs died two years ago, but his influence was still felt among the Nationalist' party'' The recent successes of the young Turkish party in the Ottoman .Empire- had; also helped to encourage this pafty which' was making : such' strenuous .endeavours, to undermine British influence in Egypt. Mr. Bradley, however, said that.in bis opinion there,was no possible chance:of Britain 'ever voluntarily evacuating Egypt or the Soudan. Any man who had lived in Egypt could not fail to realise'.what a. tremendous, calamity it would be to, tho world if. the reins of government' were, ever handed over to an!entirely incompetent and illiterate becauseas. Mi - ; Bradley pointed but, barely ,40' per cent, of the Egyptians could either read . or, .write; . The Suez, Canal also, Mrl Brcdleyj.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, Bradley in conclusion, "has thecoui-.. try been so well administered ahd ; liber-, ally, governed as 'jut /present!'..Thevyery: rapidity with, "which" order, has replaced' misrule, and prosperity "succeeded' in'-' solvency, proved that the firm tandTbi 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 twelTembnth if tha controlling hand were removed. ...