JEWISH COLONY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 247, 19 October 1939, Page 5

JEWISH COLONY.

REFUGEE SETTLERS.

WEST AUSTRALIAN SITE.

PROPOSAL TO GOVERNMENT.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) PERTH, Oct#ber 8. A proposal by Dr. I. Steinberg, secretary of the Freeland League for Jewish Territorial Colonisation, to establish a settlement of Jewish refugees in the East Kimberley division had a favourable reception by the West Australia State Government. After visiting the North Dr. Steinberg submitted a memorandum to the Premier (Mr. J. C. Willcock), who replied that the Government had no objection to the necessary approach being made to the Commonwealth Government.

I Should the representations be successful, he said, the State would desire further consultations on the conditions, including the selection of refugees, the soundness of the scheme, supervision of development, financial obligations, education and welfare work.

Dr. Steinberg, in his report to the Government dealing with his investigations in the East Kimberley division, said that development was only possible on the basis of a large-scale colonisation, involving (a) the introduction of a number of energetic and virile settlers, (b) the investment of a considerable sum of money, (c) the implanting of a deep and inspired determination among the settlers to creat new life in those areas, and (d) careful planning designed to ensure that the economic progress of the region would fit in with the Australian economy as a whole.

The Premier, in his letter to Dr. Steinberg, submitted that the first method of approach for successful settlement was by an extensive and effective pastoral occupation. The Government, he said, believed that agricultural activities and ( development would follow as a natural

sequence of events following an increased population and their consequent domestic demands.

If the Commonwealth Government favoured the scheme, the State Government would desire to exercise authority regarding the choice of refugees, to investigate the scheme l»efore any statement was attempted, and to appoint Government officers on the proposed settlement for supervising development at the expense of those in charge of the scheme. The Government would not take any liability for the provision of roads or public facilities.

A body or .Tewisli citizens would need to be formed in Perth to undertake the financial responsibility of supervising the welfare of tlifo refugees; schools should comply with the standard of "efficient school" as set out by the Education Department, and the teachers would be subject to the department's approval. The attitude of the Commonwealth Government is not favourable to national settlements.