Reports and papers of the Egyptian Administration Committee [‎30r] (59/108)

a
ol.u HElutY MCKiiliCU ocntinned that preblens wore aIrondy'-arriving
ior solution from Lioscpotamia, and these night be dealt
with by the proposed Department.
DOIwD CURZOIJ stated that his Ccmiaittce was already dealing with
these problems, and
TEE CEiilKitiJI added that they were as yet not cf a routine
nature and aomewhat too ohaotic for a. department to handle.
I'O-'D k I LITER observed that the increase of lies op ct ami an Questions
would entail an increase of the administrative v/ozk and so
render it less and less suitable for the Foreign Office.
SIR xIEERY MCLLlEOII corplainod the difficulties he had met with
ip owing to the absence of records and precedents.
There was a lack of official memcry with past experience
of the country upon which a High Commiscionor might draw;
the staff was inadequately equipped with special knowledge,
and there were too many changes.
LORD MILDER reminded the* Committee that Egypt was in fact governed
by an Embassy composed cf a diplomatic staff in constant
process of transfer end renewal. The viceroy of India on
the other hand could draw upon the service of exports on
Indian affairs long in the country.
TEE CHAIRMEN remarked that there might be a case for changing
that state of affairs in Egypt, but that it did nor
necessarily affect the organisation of the Foreign Office
in London.
LORD Mill*SR was of opinion that it must to a certain extent
affect the Foreign Office as well.
SIR HEHRY MCMAHON maintained that difficulties of all kinds
differing from those of the past, borh in quantity ai:d
degree, were going to arise. The capitulations would
soon be abolished; this would entail police, judicial
and other reforms.
LORD CURSON asked whether Egypt and Mesopotamia could be dealt
with in the near future if Sir Ronald Graham, assisted
by two or throe experts wore in chargo of its affairs.
Could the Foreign Office do tnis ?
SIR HENRY MCMAHON agreed that this would be a great reform
and improvement.
LORD CUR25ON continuing, inquired how Sir Henry McMahon pronosod
managing the dotation of officials. Mould he prefer a
senior with past experience of the country, such as
Sir William Gars tin or younger non with up-to-dato general
knowledge.
SIR HENRY MCMAHON said that he would urefer the system of the
Indian Government Office. Officials of some standing
would oomo from the Egyptian service and remain 3 or 4 years
in the new Department. The sszno plan should be adopted
with Mesopotamia: this would ensure new blood, fresh
ideas and mutual sympathy.
LORD CUREON remarked that the system had succeeded very well in
India for general administrative purposes; promising young
men were summoned from the provinces to the Finance or