The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1928.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 1928.

J BRITAIN’S NATIVE. PROBLEMS. Despite the facility with which Great |j Britain is credited for handling its lin--3 live race problems, they continue a B very present troidde. Now Zealand _ has had its experience in Samoa, and it is evident a great noise can he made from a very little cause. And once the uproar starts it is difficult to subdue it. There are always those ready to fan the (lame of discontent and keep the trouble bubbling. Just as Samoa gives cause for concern here, so Great Britain lias its native race troubles in India, Arabia and Egypt. not to mention minor outbreaks in other parts of its far-flung Empire. The white man’s burden, which the nation has shouldered in respect to so many native races, is no light load, but Great Britain has won renown and distinction because of the success of her civilising influences, and it may he ? taken for granted, will continue to work ill the field before ber. with unabated vigor and interest in tbe good work which has been drawn to ber task. One very present problem to the fore at tbe present is that in relation | to Egypt. The recent rejection of tbe ' proposed Anglo-Egyptian treaty is in I some ways disqnietoning and disap- | pointing. For it leaves tbe relations between Egypt and Britain still in a ! rather ill-balanced and precarious coni' dition, and it thus opens tbe way for | more acute differences in the future. ! But tbe terms of tbe treaty—which are | now officially made public— may well | afford us some consolation. For they ! show that Britain lias consistently followed her declared policy of concession and conciliation, and that she has offered very substantial advantages to the Egyptians in return for rights and privileges which under tbe circumstances she could not reasonably be expected to forego. A brief but effective explanation of the failure of Britain’s efforts is supplied by our Foreign Minister in a recent dispatch to tbe British High Commissioner in Egypt. Sir Austen Chamberlain refers to tbe statement- made by Nahas Pasha, tbe Nationalist leader, to tbe effect that tbe treaty is unacceptable because it fails to provide for “the complete evacuation of Egypt bv British troops.” Tt is evident that Nahas Pasha has committed himself unreservedly to the policy of bis predecessor, Zaghlul, and under tbe circumstances no further negotiation with him is possible. For the Foreign Office can see no reason for deviating in any way from tbe principle laid down by Mr Ramsay MacDonald, that “no British Government could divest itself, even in favour of an ally, of its interest in guarding such a vital link in British communications as the Suez Canal.” ] But Britain has more at stake in , Egypt than the Suez Canal, and tbe j rejection of the treaty has made it no- ( cessarv to send a. formal Note to the Egyptian Government indicating that there are certain points on which Britain can make no further concessions. Tbe Note refers rather ominous]v to “certain legislative proposals” which • ■Would apparently have tbe effect of imperilling the maintenance, of law and order and menacing tbe soenritv of 4 foreigners in Egypt. Britain “views S with misgiving” these proposals, and a it therefore '‘reserves the right to take | such steps as the situation piav de< ~

maud.” The warning is short, sharp, and decisive, and it is to he hoped that it will produce its due effect even upon Naims and tin; Nationalists. Great Britain has done so much for Egypt that its authority in that diHiculi territory should be regarded with favour, rather than tluiL there should be any daub! about it being maim,lined. I.gypliau races, as other unlive races, have everything to gain from the maint nance and extension of British rule, but l lie malcontents noisily ojp.ee tnis conclusion.

It is still a fact that a censorship exists at Samoa, and the warships are si i'll there on duty. .Judging by such news as is received it is el i flic ill t to understand why "‘the rigors of war ’ should be maintained in what is evidently now a very 'peaceful aiino.s----1 here The .situation, in point of fact, .nils to be very reassuring (except for tlie private message to the Auckland Jherald), and i,t would ajijieur from what lias been gleaned, oflieially. of the Administrator’s acts 1 1 1;11 bis attitude is now becoming conciliatory. Notwithstanding that l.iie Man rejected the favourable advances by the Administrator. be lias non released sonic 100 members of the .Man police who were sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, and lias “instructed'’ them—‘‘appealed to” tumid be a better term-—to go home and co-operate with the loyal natives. At the same time General Richardson lias offered terms to the whole .Man movement, including what appears to be a modification of the faipule system of rejires.ontation. and the loyal natives a''n moving to achieve unity with the disaffected elements. There is thus, a. prospect of peace and unite arisine; before long out of the unfortunate differences which have split Samoa inlo two cm mps and seriously interfoirld with industry. Whatever errors of judgment Sir George Richardson nay have committed in the past, says the Auckland Star, lie appears to be handling (lie situation now with judgment and tact. He recognises that the Man natives are not. solely responsible for the excesses of the movement, and be is giving ilicm an opportunity 1n drop advisers who have dune I hem more barm than good. Il they aiv wise limy will accept these terms, flic authority of the emit rolling power has asserted itself adequately, and it would be well it' matters wore tn settle down again to the jieaeoful ways of the re ■jiilai Blaml life.