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Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1930, Page 4

At the time of writing there is nothing very definite ns to the outcome of the conferences in London respecting Egyptian affairs.- Matters have been dragging, and as one commentator has remarked, the whole discussion is in a way farcical, because the Egyptians have said plainly that they will be satisfied with nothing less than Britain's complete withdrawal, and Britain has just as definitely declared that she will not go. The chief difficulty centres round the Canal. Britain has agreed to withdraw her troops to the Canal zone, and now the Egyptians demand a share in the control of the Canal, and even suggest that the League of Nations shall decide when Egypt should have the right to take over the Canal altogether. OF course they know that Britain in her own interests and for the sake of Australia and New Zealand will not consent to this. But close observers believe that all this trouble over the Canal is a sort of diplomatic siyioke screen to hide an Egyptian flanking ipovement in tim direction of l the Sudan. The AVafd leaders are reported to have claimed an equal share with Britain in ; .- tiie control of the Sudan; but they kno*. tnnt this cannot be conceded if Egvpt’s safety is to be secured. The Conference adjourned oiler Easter, and in t«t» meantime a greatmany people nre wondering if Mr Henderson did not commit an egregious blunder by publishing his draft treaty first and thus spreading all his cards on the tattle before the eyes of bis opponents. At the same time it m v ust be recognised that in the earlier conversations, matters in connection with the Naval Treaty overshadowed Egyptian affairs, and Mr Henderson would not be having the fall co-operation of liis Chief and other principal colleagues That division of interests does not exist now, and there will be more direct concentration on the issues at stake. It is clear, however. that Britain'must stand fast and maintain the position in Egypt as absoluely secure to the great national interests involved.