8 APRIL 1899, Page 23

The Development of Cyprus. By Colonel Fyler. (Lund, Humphries, and

Co.)—Twenty years of British occupation of Cyprus have now been completed—it was on June 28th, 1878, that we assumed the gove,rnment—and the result has been, on the whole, satisfactory- Colonel Fyler represents the financial question somewhat differently from the general notions on the subject. The tribute of £92,799 is not paid to Turkey, but in discharge of the interest on a guaranteed loan... Other payments also have been made out of it. When Colonel Synge was captured by Macedonian brigands his =weal, which ought to have been found by Turkey, was defrayed out of this. Generally,' according to our author, more than half a million of money stands to the credit of Cyprus. If this be so, we might be a little snore liberal in public works, such as harbours and the like. Apart from this, Cyprus might, it seems, be made to pay, and as it would be quite impossible for Great Britain to give it up, the sooner the business is taken in hand the better. It is worth noting that Famagusta is not more than two hundred and forty miles from the mouth of the Suez Canal. This is, as. Colonel 'yler says, "within straing distance" the fastest cruisers could do it in less than twelve hours. We have some interesting details about the products of the island, and suggestions for better administration. The wine industry, for instance, might be developed. At present the wine is scarcely a success, but it might be made so. Let any one compare Australian wine as A is now with what it was forty years ago.