PALESTINE MASSACRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20362, 17 September 1929, Page 11

PALESTINE MASSACRES.

MEMORIAL SERVICE HELD.

HOPES OF FUTURE PEACE. •i i i | CONFIDENCE IN BRITAIN. Many non-Jewish sympathisers, including ono Christian minister, joined with members of thti Auckland Hebrew congregation in a memorial service last evening for tho Jews who lost their lives in tho recent Palestine massacres. The service included prayers in Hebrew and the reading in English of appropriate Psalms and a prayer for the departed. Tho Rev. 8. A. Goldstein, in tho course of an address, spoko of tho grief and disappointment felt throughout worldJewry, but expressed confidence thkt under the wise and benevolent rule of Britain tho present troubles in Palestine would give way to peace and goodwill. The optimism which filled tho world-wido Zionist movement, Mr. Goldstein said, had been replaced by anxiety and suspense, but these had now been relieved and the moro recent news made it possible to consider tho situation with something like calmness. Thero had been much comfort in the sympathy of non-Jews the world over.

Tho wilful taking of innocent lives and tho destruction of homes had shown the gravity of the situation. One effect had been tho firm demand of Jewry to bo heard, a demand made not in a hushed whisper, nor yet in a tone of arrogance. Silence at such a crisis wduld have been an unpardonable crirno. The demonstrations everywhere, and tho hearing they had received from responsible Governments showed tho growth of the Jewish spirit.

"Wo look forward to measures that will prevent a recurrenco of this trouble/' continued Mr. Goldstein. 41 We are convinced that out of evil good will come. Jewry has unbounded confidence in Britain as tho mandatory power,, Britain has been destined by God for great things, and she will see that justice is done." A satisfactory commission of inquiry had already been. set np. The Balfour Declaration was part'of British policy, and

Britain always kept her undertakings. Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald and Lord Passfield had uttered, weighty words on tho subject, and Jewry took them at their full face value.

Tho Jew wished to live at peace with tho Arab in Palestine, and the majority of Arabs did likewise. Tho presence of the Jews benefited them greatly. Thousands of Arabs had been employed in the Jewish agricultural colonies last year and had enjoyed a ■ higher standard of living than they had ever known. Tho Jewish agricultural colleges, the technical institute at Haifa and the university at Jerusalem were all open to Arabs. They shared the beneficent work of the Jewish hospitals and infant welfare centres. The Jew had learned in the school of history to forgive, and might be trusted to do all in his power to restore mutual trust and goodwill between the two peoples in Palestine. The recent tragedies could not bo obliterated from the mind at once, but it was to be hoped that they would be submerged in tho tranquillity of tho futuro. The first and last verses of the National Anthem wero sung at tho close of the service. ' > ; .