14 JUNE 1935, Page 6

Members of Parliament and others who are calling on the

British Government to close the Suez Canal in the event of hostilities between Italy and Abyssinia would be wise not only to reflect on the effect such menaces may have in Italy, but also to enquire what the British Government's powers in the matter are. There seems to be a popular impression that the Government holds a majority of the shares in the Canal Company. It does not. It holds about seven-sixteenths of the shares. And it is represented by 10 directors out of a board of 3?. It will take more than the British Government to -close the canal—quite apart from any difficulties about the Canal Company's statutes.

*. * * *