Arab Outrages

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 145, 22 June 1936, Page 7

Arab Outrages

Britain's Duty as Mandatory “WILL NOT BE MOVED BY VIOLENCE” (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Juno 19. The House of Commons to-day discussed tho situation in Palestine, and tho Colonial Secretary made a statement in which he described the disorders and tho measures taken to meet them and reiterated the Government’s determination to await restoration of civil peace before embarking on a now examination of tho problems of the mandate.

The Minister, Mr W. Ormsby-Gorc, gave details of the reinforcements of the military garrison in tho last few weeks and oE additions to tho normal powers of the Government which have been made. By a new regulation, firing at a member of his Majesty's forces or at tho police, aud bombthrowing with intention to cause death or injury, was made punishable by senteuco of death or lifo imprisonment. Tho Colonial Secretary also gave the House classified figures of the casualties which showed a total death roil to date of 74 persons. Minister’s Tributes Ho took tho opportunity to express llie Government’s complete confidence in Sir Arthur Wauchope and its appreciation of his fine work during his time as High Commissioner. Ho paid a special tribute to the i’alestiuc police—British, Jew, and Arab—for their devotion to duty aud their loyalty in trying circumstances. Hu also paid a tribute to x Jews in Palestine who, despite extreme provocation and attacks, had used most commendable self-restraint.

Ho was glad to say that the situa tion in the immediate neighbouring mandated territory was almost entirely undisturbed, and there had beeii no crime or outrage whatever. The Government had not been and would not bo moved by violence and outrage. As soon as order was restored, but not before, a Royal Commission would visit Palestine to carry out a most full aud searching investigation into the causes of unrest and grievances alleged by either Arab or Jew. The Aral) peoplo were rightly proud of their historical achievements and their contributions to civilisation, aud there had been traditional friendship between Great Britain and the Arab people which tho Government valued aud which it -was its earnest desire to see preserved. Tho Government had also an obligation under tho Balfour Declaration to realise the age-long aspiration of Jews all over the world for a centre in Palestine. “Baseless Fears.” “There is at present,” said the Colonial Secretary, ‘‘a state of apprehension on both sides. The Arabs are afraid the Jews will completely dominate the country and they fear for the future of their owm raco and the homes of their lathers. The Jews are equally afraid that the great and really remarkable constructive work they have already dono in Palestiuc will be cut short and tbe national home On which they have set their heart,will bo brought to nought, and that tbe Arabs seek to drive them out of Palestine. I confidently believe that both these fears are baseless, but they must be shown to be baseless. It is the desire of the Government to find a solution consistent with their fundamental dual obligation.”

The Government wanted the Arabs and the Jews to realiso that both had an assured future iu Palestine aud that the whole object of the British Government in that country was that both should be able to live iu peace aud amity in a land holy to the three great faiths of the civilised world. Respect For Mandate-. Mr. Tom Williams (Labour), who spoko for tho Opposition, aud Mr. David Lloyd Gcorgo (Independent, Liberal) both welcomed the Coloniai Secretary’s statement and endorsed his firm declaration that the Government would honour its obligations to the Arabs and the Jews equally. Mr. Lloyd Gcorgo said that the present Arab demands amounted to asking the British Government to tear up its obligations and end the mandate. No British Government could do that, he said.