BALFOUR DECLARATION

Hawera Star, Volume L, 25 October 1930, Page 7

BALFOUR DECLARATION

LATE EDITION

lOLATION OF PROMISE” JEWS AND PALESTINE GENERAL SMUTS' CONCERNED. (United Frees Association—-By Elactrlo Telegraph Copyright..) Received 12.30 p.m. to-day. CAPE TOWN, Oct. 24. As one of those responsible for the Balfour Declaration General Smuts cabled. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald stating that the declaration was a. definite promise to the Jewish world that the policy of a. national home would be actively prosecuted and was intended to rally powerful Jewish influence for the Allied cause at the darkest hour and, as such, it was approved by the United States and other Allies and accepted by the Jews in good faith. ‘‘lt cannot now be varied unilaterally by Britain ; it represents a debt of honour and must be discharged in full at all costs. Most strongly I urge that a Government statement he issued that the Balfour Declaration will he carried ‘out and the Government policy recast accordingly.” Mr MacDonald replied; “I feel sure your views are based on an in- " complete cabled summary of the statement of policy. J. think you will admit, in the light of facts recently brought to our notice, that the statement of policy cannot fairly he described as a retreat from the declaration. which insured that nothing would be clone to prejudice the civil and religiuos rights of the existing nonJewisli communities.” He was convinced that the policy was not only in accordance with the mandatory obligations, but also was designed in the best interests of the two sections of Palestine population, whose welfare was a sincere concern of the Government.