DISTRESS IN PALESTINE

Grey River Argus, 5 January 1940, Page 12

DISTRESS IN PALESTINE

The “Dole” Introduced (Received January 4, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, January 3. The High Commissioner of Palestine, Sir Harold McMichael, reaffirmed to-dfay in Jerusalem good wishes for the condition of Palestine which he had expressed in a broadcast, on December 13. He said these wishes marked a determination to take action to relieve the distress in Palestine. Sir H. McMichael continued that he had reported to His Majesty’s Government that, out of earmarked balances and increased revenue, a sum of more than 250 thousand Palestinian pounds could safely be devoted to relief of the distress, and that it ought to be so devoted. In the coming financial year, or earlier, if necessary, among free grants for relief, to be mostly in the form of work, there would be distributed the following grants: For Arabs, £50,000; for Jews throughout the country, also £50,000; and a further £50,000 for small' municipalities and local councils to be spent on essential public works. He then referred to a grant-in-aid of £75,000, which the Government had. already given this financial year to municipalities for necessary, works which they themselves are unable to finance. He said similar grants would be made in the coming year.