PALESTINE

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1930, Page 2

PALESTINE

A JEWISH DEPUTATION,

(Official Wireless,)

(Received this dnv at 11 n.m.) RUGBY. July 11

An important statement upon Jewish immigration in Palestine was made by Lord Passfield, Secretary for Colonies to a deputation from the Board of Deputies of British Jews, which is an elected representative body of Jews of the British Empire. 'lhe deputation in expressing the view’s of, the Board on the suspension of the 2300 immigration, certificates for Palestine granted on the Labour schedule for the current year said the Government’s action prejudiced the work of the Jewish agency and seemed to indicate that the Government had made up its mind that Jewish immigration must be stopped. The Government’s policy had not created a larger and contented population in Palestine, and persecutions were to be observed in foreign relations of this country. Jews had for centuries suffered injustice at the hands of others and they were the last to wish to see injustice inflicted on Arabs.

The deputation urged the British Government to release the • certificates and to demonstrate its intention to administer Palestine in the spirit of the mandate. In reply Lord PassficTd said that tile protests of the Jews appeared to have been based on a misunderstanding. There had been no change in the policy cl' the Government and no uncertainty' in its execution of the mandate. However, ft did not envisage the establishment of the Jewish State but only of the Jecyjsh National H,ome in Palestine, Consistently with the maintenance qf the position and rights of the Arab population, there must, be a limit to Jewish migration, determined by the absorptive enpneity of the country.

There had been no stoppage of immigration and 950 certificates on the labour schedule for the present half year had ben sanctioned in advance, and had not been suspended. The Slmw C'ommissiomn has reported that a certain number of Arabs had been economically prejudiced as the result ol Jewish land purchases. Although it was recognised that the Jewish Agency had paid liberal monetary compensation, the Government considered it necessary to enquire into the truth of the allegations and with this object had secured the best possible expert to make enquiries.

Those wore being pursued without delay, but no promise could be made as to the date on which a decision could be given.