MODERN EGYPT

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1932, Page 6

MODERN EGYPT

CHANGES IN LAST 50 YEARS. POST-WAR TENDENCIES. WELLINGTON, November 5. “Some Aspects of Mooern Egypt” W;;s the title of an inteieating a-uttresS delivered by Air Rowland P. Wilson, M. 8., director of the Giza ■ Opthalmic Laboratory in Cairo,, before members of the New Zealand Club- yesterday afternoon. Probably nowhere had the effect of time been so noticeable as in Egypt, especially when one compared the pomp and glory of ancient Egypt to the Egypt of the presnt time, said Mr Wilson. Possibly the last fifty years had seen the greatest change of all. It might almost be said, as on another occasion, ‘Tchabod—her glory has departed.” Yet there was an awakening going on at tue present time. It was typified in a state by an Egyptian sculptor in Cairo—an Egyption woman raising her veil beside a crouching sphinx.

WISE BRITISH RULE. After the British occupation, following the of Arabi Pashi in 1882, the trade of the country had increased by leaps and bounds,Whilst under the wise rule of Lords Uromer and Kitchener at least some of Egypt’s previous glory was restored. It was a good thing to know, too, that the efforts of those men are not unappreciated. Both statesmen were friends of the Egyptian peasant, and helped to raise his standard of living. Then war came, and the Egyptians did good service with, their camel ec-rps and other units. It was to the mien who fell that the Giza Memorial Opthalmic Laboratory was provided.

POST-WAR TROUBLES. From the 1 signing of the armistice there had een nothing but trouble, Mr Wilson continued. Egypt had almost immediately asked for her independence, and on its being refused there ensued an anxious time for English residents in Egypt. No Englishman’s- life: was safe, and there was guerilla warfare for a time. Lord 'Milner went out in 1922, when Egyptian independence began and the protectorate ceased. England granted independence with four reservations — namely, the protection of British residents, the right to communication through Egypt (to protect the Suez Canal), the right to capitulation, and to retain control of the -Sudan. There had been several attempts by FJgypt to again secure control of the Sudan, but so far all negotiations had fallen through. In 1928, Molmmmed bidky Paslia set up a dictatorship altered the elect.oi al law, went to the country, was returned by an overwhelming majority, and is still carrying on with great confidence as far as trade and commerce and the balancing of the Budget, were concerned; and, considering the world conditions quite satisfactorily generally.

POSITION OF FOREIGNERS. “Foreigners in Egypt receive a full measure of liberty,” said Mr Wilson. “There is no taxation as far as they are concerned, but as they probably purchase 8(J per cent, of the imported goods they pay taxation in another way. As far as the administration of ihe law is Concerned, there are three classes of courts—two are for Egyptians only, one for foreigners, and one is a mixed court.” Air Wilson remarked on. the marked disparity in conditions which prevailed, in Cairo. On one side of the road there might be the palatial mansion and grounds of an Egyptian prince; on the other a motley pile of huts which looked as though they „would tumble to bits if a. breeze oanie along. “Those people who only visit Port Said get the wrong idea of Egypt,” said Mr Wilson. “In Cairo we have a city which can compare with m.rny of the European cities, and where side by side with splendid hotels one may observe native life in all its simplicity. Of the 14,000,000 pe' pie in Egypt, only one-fifth reside in tl a towns—the other four-fifths are peasants of simple habits and customs whose situation to-day, with the price of all products down to nothing, is a deplorably sad one. Most of them are living on an expenditure of a penny or twopence per day. Of tin 'e people, 80 pea’ cent, of the males i ad 9o per cent, of the females are illiterate.”