Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1939. PALESTINE PROBLEMS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 February 1939, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1939. PALESTINE PROBLEMS.

JTIE taunt by foreigners that the British are pastniasters in the art of combining 1 ethics and profits, and that much of the successful colonisation has been due to carrying the Bible in one hand and a gun in the oilier, may have some truth, but whatever the selfishness of the past, it can be justly claimed that in the post-war years, Britain has been altruistic in policy, much to her own cost. Iler efforts for peace and disarmament were continued, . at great risk to the Empire’s protection, until she was forced to call a halt, and in other ways she has set an example to the world. In the Spanish trouble, she was meek almost to the point of submission, in order to prevent the war spreading, and she has been prominent in the work of relief of non-com-batants. In a land more closely associated with her, Palestine, she has dis' played great forbearance, in the endeavour to do justice to Arab and Jew alike. The result was not encouraging, as the goodwill was mistaken for weakness, and terrorism flourished. Efforts were

made by commissions of inquiry, mid by Ministerial personal investigation, to find a. solution of the difficulties satisfactory to the three parties concerned, but little co-operation was forthcoming. It was found necessary to send large consignments of troops to suppress what had become a revolt, and that task is not yet completed. Other Powers, if they were confronted by similar risings, would have exercised a ruthlessness that, would have, had the. desired result; but British policy is not framed on such an easy way out.

As a. final effort, to obtain a peaceful compromise a conference has been arranged, after much difficulty, al which all parties have been invited to express their views and to offer practicable suggestions for the government of Palestine. This conference opens, to-day, in London, and it is difficult to be optimistic about its success. The fact that it is necessary to hold the gatherings in two series, owing to the Arabs declining to sit with the Jewish delegates, is evidence of trouble ahead.

The British Government is encouraging the fullest, discussion, including the abolition or amendment of its Mandate over the country. It. has given the preliminary intimation that if Arabs and Jews fail to agree, Britain will not shirk her responsibilities, and will take such action as the circumstances warrant . There is no doubt that foreign aid has allowed the Arab revolt, to meet with so great, a degree of support, but. the day of such foreign help is ending. The difficulty of a happy solution is not lessened by the fact that, both Arabs and Jews have rights that conflict, and it is impossible for all these rights to be respected. Moslem leaders are urging the Arabs to be conciliatory, and the eJews are being reminded of the proverb that half-a-loaf is better than none. It is to be hoped that wisdom will prevail. Should the conference fail, the British Government will be compelled to adopt measures contrary to its desires, especially in a land that, beyond all others, should be an abode of peace.