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Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1929, Page 4

It seems that the Great Powers, after due deliberation, have refused China’s demand for ‘ the immediate abrogation of extra-territorial rights.” What this means is that if China’s request were granted, all foreigners would at oii-e become unconditionally subject to the jurisdiction of Chinese Courts and the Powers are not prepared to take this risk. In view of the disturbed state of the country and the insecure tenure on which the Nationalists hold power this decision seems to me sound and reasonable. The “Times” has broken the truth to China as kindly and courteously as the circumstances permit; hut the Chinese are not likely to be satisfied. But if it is not safe to abolish extra-territorial rights in China, 'is it safe in Eigypt? Yet the' Labour Government is apparently prepared to make this concession to the Egyptian Nationalists without any reservation. And of the two alternative*; a commentator thinks, that most Europeans who value peace and safety would prefer China as a place of residence. The comparison brings to mind the fact that Egypt is more of a centre than China, and its situation conP mnndfncr the Suez Canal, the highway to the British possessions in the East, makes it, also a paramount concern, Some one Ims remarked rather unfairly that Britain as endeavouring to secure a strong position in Palestine, as a milestone on the way to India, and a buffer against Russian advances. This seems to be an unfair statement when we find the present British Government prepared to give up the major control in Egypt. As a milestone en route to India Egypt is of greater value than Palestine, which can never be serious buffer against Russia, which , has other means of , access towards India. The position in China is remote indeed, compared with Egypt, though of course the National financial interests directly or indirectly are very great in, China. * The national safety must be paramount over the financial interests, though probably in that regard the British Government is banking on the League of Nations compact to secure the general s uiiation. But if that is to be effectively operative in one quarter of the globe, why not in another, if universal world peace is to be assured ?