i 4 of tbc Governmeiifc. At the time of writiii"-, the Assembly itself has not vet sven its opinion.

In the domain of administration, it will be seen, in subsequent chapters of this report, that many reforms of importance were introduced in 1U09. The new Police Supervision Law, toofether with other subsidiary measures passed at the instance of the Ministry of the Interior, has produced an immediate and far-reaching ellect u|)on the state of public seemity in the provinces which has already surpassed the expectations of its promoters, and is, I trust, in course of remedying a state of aHaii-s as to which loud and well-grounded complaints have long been utteied. Buring the few months which have elapsed since the new system has l>n in operation, serious crime has shown a reduction of 27 per cent. A Law has been passed regulating the conditions of child labour in factories, and its application has so tar proved successful in removing the abuses to which attention lias been cidled. The long debated question of the water supply of Cairo has now been settled in a manner wliich gives satisfaction to the litimate complaints of tlie inbabitants*of that city, while insuring that all uecessarv precautions are- taken to ensure a puie supply, and a beginning has been made- with the drainage scheme, which will, when finished, make Cairo one of the best dmined cities iu the world.

As regards legislation in matters Avhere foreigners are concerned, there is, I regretto say, no progress to be ivcorded, though several important projrosals are now, and nave been for some years, under the consideration of tlie Powers. This is due to the fact that it is a labour of Heraules to get the assent of fifteen Powers to any alteration in the Mixed Codes, and until some change is effected in the existing method of legislating, foreigners resident, or having interests, in Egypt must continue to bear with resignation the imperfections and deficiencies of the law.

2. Legislative Council.

In my last report, I mentioned that the Ministers proposed in future to attend the meetings of the Council, in order to take part personally in its discussions, and I further stated that it had been decided to conduct the proceedings in the presence ot the public and representatives of the press. Since then, the Government have announced their readiness, within certain limitations necessary to ensure regularity in the proceedings, to answer all questions on administrative matters of general interest which the memhei'S may submit to them. MTith the grant of this important privilege, it would appear that everything possible has been done to enable the Council to carry out iis present consultative functions in as real and effective a manner as possible.

Under these cireuinstances, it is of especial interest to review the proceedings of the Giimcil during the first session in which these- changes have been iu operation, and to observe how far they have contributed to increase the influence lor good which the institution is in a position to exert over public affairs. During the session of June 1909, no less than 16 draft laws or regulations, many of which had been before the Council for a considerable time, were carefully and thorougblv discussed. The Ministers were present, and gave full explanations in regard to these measures, with the result that tlie Government were able to accept nearly all the amendments which were ultimately proposed. These laws comprised some of the first importance, such as that enlarging the powers of the Provincial Councils, and that empowering the authorities, under certain conditions, to place dangerous clianictei'S under jiolice supervision, both of Avhich are dealt with in greater detail elsewhere. During the same .session, an important constitutional change was passed by the Council, and accepted by the Government, prescribing that that body would in future be in permanent se-ssion from the 15th November up to the end of May of the following A'ear, instead of, as heretofore, meeting every other month throughout the year. This will considerabh” increase the working time of the Council, as, under the former system, only half the Avinter Avas utilized, and during the nominal meetings in the summer months no business Avas transacted.

A like activity lias characterized the session which began last November. Thet-Avo laAA's held OA-er from the pi-eceding summer Avere discussed and approA*ed with certiiin amendments, and out of seven new laws and regulations since submitted to the Council for opinion, all but one, which is still under examination, liave been passed with amendments. I may add that in all these cases practically eA-ery amendment of importance Avas accepted b\' the Government.

I take this opportunity of placing on record the great loss Avbich the Council has sustained by the retirement of His Highness Prince Hussein from the arduous post of House of Commons Parliamentary Papers Online. Copyright (c) 2006 ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved.