The Hawera Star. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1930. THE JEWS IN PALESTINE.

Hawera Star, Volume L, 24 October 1930, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1930. THE JEWS IN PALESTINE.

Delivered every evening by 6 o’olook in Hawera. Manaia, Kauprkonui, Otakeho, Oeo, Pihama, Opunake, Normanby, Okaiawa Eltham, Ngaere, Mangratoki, Kapongra, Awatnna. Te Kiri, Mahoa, Lowgarvh, Manutahi, Kakaramea, Alton, Hurlei>ville Vatea, Whenuaknra, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakaraara. Ohanstai, Meremere, Fraser *.oad, and Ararata.

Those who have no direct interest in the subject will find the indignant protests of the Jews against the findings of the British White Paper on Palestine difficult to appreciate. Britain has laid down most definitely that, though aware of her mandate obligations to Palestine and the Jews, she will insist upon the restriction of Jewish immigration to that country to a rate compatible with economic stability. The summary of tlic White Paper cabled to this country makes clear tlic reasons actuating the Government; the influx of Jewish immigrants has made unemployment rife and, through the consequent depression and lowered standard of living, has antagonised the Arab population. The protests now being made by Jewish interests from many quarters of tlic world seem to concern themselves with the position from the Jewish point of view only and to leave out of all reckoning the rights of the Arabs and the difficulty of the task Britain has set herself in seeking to make it possible for these two peoples to live side by side. Zionism is an ideal, while Arab occupation of the country is a fact. When Britain undertook the Palestine mandate from the League of Nations with the additional task of assisting Zionism to attain its ideal —the return of the Jews to Palestine it was admitted that she had undertaken a formidable mission. Her first Commissioner to Palestine —an English Jew {was not regarded by the Zionists as a success, but the next appointee, an Englishman, won golden opinions for himself and the essential fairness of the English people. But all has not been easy for the adminis-

faction since the plan was firstput into action. The Arabs have been in possession of the country for a long time; they have their own religious beliefs and their own sacred places in the country; moreover, the antagonism between the two peoples is rooted deep in the ages. Further, the position lias been complicated by the fact that though all Jews -welcomed the opportunity to return to their ancient home, all Jews did not, and do not, want to go there. The wealthy members of the race have contributed handsomely to the '‘back to Palestine'•' movement, but the fact, remains that the settling of the people there has been made difficult by lack of money and lack of support by Jewish people of financial stability. Many of those seeking to return have been people in very poor circumstances. Members of the race who have done well in other countries and have their family and business interests firmly fixed in the lands of their adoption have shown no inclination to sacrifice the life they' have come, to love and the connections they have made in business and social life to an ideal. They realise that though they may claim Palestine as their ancient homo, they would be strangers there. Further, the country does not offer the opportunities and the kind of living to which well-to-do English, American and European Jews have become habituated. Immigration schemes, land settlement schemes, town planning, the I provision of electricity, drainage and j other conveniences and benefits of •European civilisation still remain to be completed in Palestine. The avenues |of employment arc restricted and it is 1 not to be wondered that Jewish people | who have trained themselves for useful places in the society of their adopted 1 countries, are disinclined to uproot themselves and undertake small farm-

ing, dried-fruit production and so on in Palestine. Under these circumstances it is not a matter for wonder that Britain attempts to hold the balance between the Jews and the Arabs as fairly as possible —even apart from considerations of common justice and liumanity for the Arabs are established there and their means of livelihood, such as they are, do exist. Britain has made it clear that she has no intention of shirking the promises she gave to the Jews under the Balfour Declaration. But she is surely justified in taking the long view and preparing the ground properly for the realisation of an ideal that cannot possibly be accomplished in full a few short years after its conception. Under the circumstances it is difficult for British people who have no racial interests in the question to understand the vehemence of such men as Lord (formerly Sir Alfred Mond) in their denunciation of Britain’s latest policy of “slow but sure” as “unparalleled ingratitude and treachery to a credulous and harassed people. ”