FURTHER DETAILS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22776, 9 July 1937, Page 11

FURTHER DETAILS

TRANS JOED AN PROBLEM LOW TAXABLE CAPACITY PARTITION DIFFICULTIES By Telegrnph—Press Associnfion—Copyright (Received July 8, 5.5 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY, July 7 The inter-State subvention recommended by the Palestine Commission would adjust the financial balance in Palestine. The plan, however, involves the inclusion of Transjordan in the Arab State. The taxable capacity of Transjordan is very low, its revenues never having sufficed to meet the costs of its administration. In the event of the treaty system coming into force, therefore, says the repoii, Parliament should be asked to make a grant of a capital payment of £2,000,000 to the Arab State in lieu of its present annual liability in respect of Transjordan. It is suggested that it should be an essential part of the proposed treaty system that a commercial convention should bo concluded with a view to establishing a common tariff over the widest possible exchange of goods between the three territories concerned. Question of Transfers of Land Other matters for settlement under the treaties would include the nationality question and the taking over of industries by the Government of Palestine for their development and security. s It is recognised that, if partition is to be effective in promoting a final settlement, sooner or later there should be a transfer of land, and as far as possible an excliango of population. The treaties should accordingly provide that if Arab owners of land in the Jewish State, or Jewish owners of land in the Arab State, should wish to sell their land and any plantations or crops thereon, the Government of the State concerned should be responsible for the purchase of such, land at a price to bo fixed if required by the Mandatory Administration. For this j&irpose loans, if required, should be guaranteed for a reasonable amount.

Minorities Question Must be Faced With regard to minorities tho Commission says that question must be boldly faced and firmly dealt with, and that it calls for the "highest statesmanship 011 the part of all concerned. '

Other recommendations in the report deal with the transition period before the new regime comes into force. During that period the existing mandate would continue to bo tho governing instrument of the Palestine Administration.

Tho Commission says it recognises that the difficulties of partition are certainly very great, but they do not seem to be so insuperable as the difficulties inherent in the continuance of the« present mandate or another alternative arrangement. Partition offers a chace of ultimate peace which no other plan does. CLAMOUR FOR COPIES UNUSUAL SCENE IN LONDON LONDON. July 7 There was an unusual scene to-day outside an office in Kingsway where Government. publications are sold. Hundreds of people, including many Jews, clamoured for copies of the Palestine Commission's report at 6s 6d a copy.

REPULSE REACHES HAIFA HAIFA, July 7 The battleship Repulse has arrived at Haifa. The Royal Commission on Palestine, which started its investigations on November 16, 1936, concluded its public hearings on January 18 last. The members of the Commission are Lord Peel (chairman), Sir Horace Rumbold (vice-chairman), Sir Laurie Hammond, Sir Morris Carter, Sir Harold Morris, K.C., and Professor Reginald Coupland and Mr. J. M. Martin (secretary).