England and Egypt.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 62, 9 August 1884, Page 3

England and Egypt.

A new departure is to be made in the British policy in Egypt, but the exact nature of it cannot yet be determined, though it is evident that it must result in a more effective protectorate of that country than has yet been set up. Mr. Gladstone at yesterday's sitting of the House of Commons announced that Earl Northbrook, the first Lord of the Admiralty, would proceed to Egypt next month along with Mr Baring and a High Commissioner, to report upon the state of affairs, and advise what steps should be taken. There cannot be the slightest doubt that this is a preliminary step to some very important development of policy, ana the choice of the First Lord of the Admiralty for the mission would seem to indicate that the contemplated action is in the direction either of occupying the country permanently or taking possession of the Suez Canal and securing the safety of British commerce by stationing men-o' war at various points. This change of front has been necessitated by the failure of the European Conference on Egyptian affairs, and as the break-down of the Conferencehasgivengreatsatisfaction throughout England, there is little doubt that Mr Gladstone's new policy will be a popular one, and will make his Government as stable on questions of foreign relations as it is on matters of domestic policy,