BRITAIN AND JEWRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21555, 28 July 1933, Page 8

BRITAIN AND JEWRY

The Nationality of Jews Bill, introduced in the House of Commons by a private member, proposes to promote and extend citizenship in Palestine for Jews deprived of citizenship elsewhere. In the phrase describing tho purport of the bill is no more than a vague indication of the precise means to be adopted, but it is clear from the speech of its introducer that the intention is to provide a haven for Jews driven out of Germany. That there is a duty, on broad humanitarian grounds, to come to the aid of these, people, is not easily contested. Persecution of them, which was frankly foreshadowed in official Nazi publications more than eighteen months ago, began as soon as Hitler attained power, and it continues as a deliberate policy. Then the idea of asking "the invading nomad, more or less politely, to progress again in his home, the dosert," was unequivocally advanced, and general derision of the Jews, without exception or discrimination, was publicly indulged. To expel them was an avowed aim. It has been achieved to some extent already, and those remaining suffer deprivation of citizenship and would migrate if they had the means. Professor Einstein's presence when tho bill was is a refugee at Oxford, after the wrecking of his home in Germany—gave point to argument for the measure. The need to do something is apparent, but what this should bo is not so easily seen. Great Britain's obligation as tho mandatory Power controlling Palestine certainly covers tho devising of means to promote the settlement of Jews, so long as this does not trench on the rights of established Arab occupiers; and the spirit and letter of the Balfour Declaration have set an enduring seal on British sincerity in the matter. Yet to accommodate in Palestine all Jewish refugees from Germany is scarcely feasible. However, the title of this bill suggests that actual settlement may not be in view, but rather the provision of

legal domicile as a basis of national status. In the absence of detailed explanation, this possibility can be no more than conjectural; and what may bo the fate of the idea, embodied as it is in a private member's bill, cannot be gugssed. But Hitler and his .colleagues may be given something to think about. They have already received British protests against maltreatment of Jews. Now on the floor of the British Parliament it is urged that the British Empire should stand up for Jewry. This may prove not altogether wasted breath.