OUTING AT PATUTAHI

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20190, 7 March 1940, Page 6

OUTING AT PATUTAHI

ANNUAL PICNIC ORDER OF FORESTERS The annual picnic of Court William Gladstone, 1.0.0. F., held on the Patutahi Domain in fine weather, was most enjoyable. The children were specially catered for, and were supplied liberally with sweets, ice cream, soft drinks and novelties. A programme of races was run for the enjoyment of the children, all of whom were suitably rewarded with presents. The lodge championship was won by P.C.R. Bro. G. File, who was presented with a valuable trophy by the C.R., Bro. J. A. Watt. The ladies' championship was won by Mrs. J. Somerville. At a suitable interval the secretary, Bro. C. S. Bruce, thanked all present for their part in making the picnic such an outstanding success, and praised the social committee, who was responsible for the arrangements. Bro. Bruce, on behalf of the social committee, made a suitable presentation to Bro. Watt for his efforts in connection with the picnic and other social functions conducted by the court. warning in 1930. The Royal Commission of 193(1 confirmed these findings. It was the Royal Commission’s unanimous opinion that this alicnaion of land from the Arabs to the Jews could only be allowed where it was possible to replace extensive by intensive cultivation “They reported that they had no hesitation in saying that at present, and for many years to come, * the mandatory Power should not attempt to facilitate the settiemcn of Jews in the hilly districts of Palestine.” =aid Mr. MacDona'd. “That view was fully confirmed bv the Woodhead Commission in the following year. “This unanimity was all the more significant because these commissions of enquiry often produced quite varying views on other Palestine topics.” Unless something like these regulations were introduced the purpose of the mandate would be defeated, continued Mr. MacDonald. Ho compared the Government regulations with the conditions attaching to land bought by the Jewish national fund.

“Under the previsions of. that fund land was not allowed at any time i.n future, under any conditions whatsoever, to be alienated to any oersons who were not Jews by race.” he said. “The Jewish authorities considered the condition necessary in order to protect the interests of their own people. I do not know why they quarrel with us when we say a similar condition —perhaps far less permanent —is required in watching the interests of the Arab population.” There could not be a status quo because land purchase in the areas subject to these regulations was proceeding rapidly. If land transfers were not regulated the Arabs would believe that their interests were being sacrificed, whereas their peacefulness to a large extent was due to the knowledge that the Government intended to protect them. Regulations Justified “I justify the land regulations on two grounds," declared Mr. MacDonald. “In the first place by the evidence of the series of inquiries that they are essential if we are tc carry out the mandate. Therefore, they are morally right. “In the second place, I do not think it an argument against taking this action, but it happened to be politically expedient to do it at a moment of supreme crisis when we were engaged in a struggle not only to defend ourselves, but of the liberties of all peoples, including the freedom of the Jews from cruel and vile suppression.” Mr. MacDonald pointed out that the Permanent Mandates Commission, though important, was advisory to the League Council. The Government, he said, never sought to deny that it was the opinion of members of the League Council that mattered, nor had the Government sought to set itself up as a judge on an issue to which it was one of the parties. Mr. MacDonald said that the Government recognised it must get the authority of the League Council for the policy pursued in Palestine, but if a duty was owed by the Government to the council, the latter owed a duty to the mandatory Power who was responsible for the administration of Palestine.

Opinion of Commission Mr. MacDonald said he agreed that the situation was affected by the opinion of the Permanent Mandates Commission, whose report contained certain arguments and omitted certain relevant facts. After stating that 2(1.000 German Jews for whom all arrangements had been made to emigrate to Palestine when the war broke out and, nevertheless, were got out of Germany and now were mostly settled in their national home, Mr. MacDonald concluded: “There are the Arabs. They have got rights equal to the rights of Jews in Palestine. We are going to protect those rights as well as the rights of the Jews. “If the rights of the Arabs are ignored the Jewish national home will not prosper. There can only be peace and progress in Palestine on the basis of recognition of the rights of the two communities inhabiting the country. It is because the land regulations are based on those principals that I ask the House to reject the motion of censure.”