IN PALESTINE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19979, 14 July 1930, Page 11

IN PALESTINE.

MIGRATION OF JEWS.

COLONIAL SECRETARY'S

STATEMENT.

(.B3ITISH OFFICIAL WIHELESS.)

RUGBY, July 11

An important statement upon Jewish immigration in Palestine was made by Lord Passfield (Secretary of State for the Colonies) to a deputation from the Board of Deputies of British Jews, which is the elected representative body of Jews of the British Empire. The deputation, in expressing tho views of the Board on the suspension of the 2300 immigration certificates for Palestino granted on the labour schedule for the current year, said tho Government's decision prejudiced tho work of tho Jewish Agency. and seemed to indicate that the Government had made up its mind that Jewish immigration must be stopped. The Government's policy had not created a loyal and contented population in Palestino, and persecutions were to be observed in the foreign relations of this country. The Jews had for centuries suffered injustice inflicted by the Arabs. Tho deputation urged tho British Government to release tho certificates and to demonstrate its intention to administer Palestine in tho spirit of the mandate.

In reply, Lord Passfield said that tho protests of tho Jews appeared to have been based on a misunderstanding. Thero had been no change in the policy of the Government, and no uncertainty in its execution of tho mandate. The mandate, however, did not envisage the establishment of a Jewish State, but onlv of a Jewish national home in Palestine consistent with the maintenance of the position and rights of the Arab population. There must bo a limit to Jewish immigraton. determined bv the absorptive capacity of th« country. There had been no stoppage of immigration, and the 950 certificates on tho labour schedule for the present half-vear had been sanctioned in advance, and had not Keen suspended. Tho Shaw Commission had reported that a certain number of Arabs had been economically prejudiced as the result of Jewish land purchases. Although it was recognised that the .Tewi«h Agency had naid liberal monetary comn'pnsntion. the Government considered it necessarv to enquire into the tm+h of nlloyations. and wi+Vi this ohiwt had secured tho h*»st "O'siMe ernert to make eriouiries. Theso were heinc rnirs"<"} without delay, but no prom'*"* could hf> made ft" +o tho date on which a decision could bo given.