NILE DAM

Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1928, Page 1

NILE DAM

PARIS CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS JT 1 .

LONDON, November 5

It is understood that the proposed construction of a dam across the' Buie Nile in Abyssinia has been for some time occupying the attention of diplomatists, and an interesting conference will shortly be held at Paris to discuss details.

It will be remembered that a year ago some sensation was caused by a report in the United States Press that negotiations had been practically concluded between the Abyssinian Government and an American engineering company to construct this dam at a c-ost of £4,000,000. This announcement proved to be incorrect, and no proposals for an American construction are now in contemplation. Nevertheless the value of such a dam where the Buie Nile emerges from Lake Tsana is well recognised, since in expert opinion it would, by ■ conserving tme water that now runs to waste, enable the successful irrigation of 3,000000 acres of land now waste, but specially suitable, il watered, lor the growth of cotton.

The Egyptian and Sudanese Governments require to he assured that such a dam would not unduly restrict the supply of water to their dams on the Lower Nile, but no practical difficulty is feared in this direction.

ILLS TAPE ART'S OFFER.

In 1902 the then Emperor-Menelik of Abyssinia promised in a treaty with this country that no dam. should lie constructed except "ith the approval of the British and Sudanese Governments. Abyssinia has no sea coast, and the importation or arms throiih surrounding countries—British. French, and Italian —is at present forbidden. Bas Taffari says in effect:

The peace of Abyssinia is constantly troubled by fierce desert tribesmen, whom inv police are unable to subdue with hows and arrows. Allow me to arm the police with rifles and I will at once give, the British Government all the facilities required for the construction of the dam.

He has expressed his willingness to state precisely the requirement of arms and to limit the importation to that. Against this, however, there are Italian objections, which appear to have considerable weight with the British Foreign Office. A conference to discuss the matter was suggested. The Abyssinian Government at first refused. but within the last few days has been persuaded to agree to send a representative with the proviso that it cannot recognise that other Governments represented at such a conference have the right to dictate to a sovereign State. '

Under these conditions it is expected that a conference attended by representatives of the British. French. Italian. and Abyssinian Governments will be held in Paris,