BRITISH POLICY

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

BRITISH POLICY

PROPOSALS APPROVED REMOVAL OF EVILS SECURITY FOR FUTURE [nr telegraph OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Thursday The following is a statement of the British Government's policy on Palestine, presented by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to Parliament by command of His Majesty:— "(1) The British Government, by direction of His Majesty, has considered the unanimous report of the Palestine Boyal Commission. It finds itself in general agreement with the arguments and conclusions of the commission. "(2) As is fully recognised by the commissioners in their historical survey, the Government and its predecessors, since the obligations of mandate wero accepted, have taken the view, which the term of mandate itself implies, that their obligations to the Arabs and Jews respectively wore not incompatible, on the assumption that in the process of time the two races would so adjust their national aspirations as to render possible the establishment of a single commonwealth under a unitary government. Partition the Best Solution "(3) In spite of many discouraging experiences during the past 17 years, the Government has based its policy on this expectation and has taken every opportunity of encouraging co-operation between the Arabs and the Jews. In the light of experience and of the arguments adduced by the commission it is driven to the conclusion that there is an irreconcilable conflict between the aspirations of the Arabs and the Jews in Palestine, that these aspirations cannot bo satisfied under the terms of the present mandate, and that a scheme of partition on the general lines recommended by the commission represents the best and most hopeful solution of the deadlock.

" The Government proposes to advise His Majesty accordingly. "(4) The, Government therefore proposes to take such steps as are necessary and appropriate, having regard to its existing treaty obligations under the Covenant of the League of Nations and other international instruments, to obtain freedom to give effect to a scheme of partition, to which it earnestly hopes it may bo possible to secure an effective measure of consent 011 tho part of the communities concerned.

Responsibility ol Maintaining Order (o.) "Pending the establishment of such a scheme, the Government lias no intention of surrendering its responsibility for peace, order and good government throughout Palestine. It is in general agreement with tho commission's recommendations in the steadiness of public security.

"Tf serious disorders should again break out, of such a nature to require military intervention, the High Commissioner will delegate powers of concurrence in respect of the whole country, under Palestine (Defence) Orders in Council to the General Officer Commanding the Military Forces.

CG.) "In the immediate future. while the form of a scheme for partition is being worked out, the Government proposes that, as an interim measure, steps should be taken to prohibit any land transactions which might prciudice such a scheme. Further, since the period of the current labour schedule expires at the end of July and some provision must be made for the ensuing period, it proposes that a total Jewish immigration in all categories of 8000 persons shall be permitted for the eight months' period, August, 1937 to M.arch, 1938, provided that the economic, absorptive capacity of the country is not exceeded. Advantages ol the Proposal

(7.) "In supporting a solution of the Palestine problem by means of partition, the Government is much impressed by the advantages which it offers both to the Arabs and to the Jews. The Arabs would obtain their national independence, and thus bo. enabled to co-operate on an equal footing with the Arabs of neighbouring countries in the cause of advancing unity and progress. They would be finally delivered from all fear of Jewish domination, and from the anxiety which they have expressed, lest their holy places should ever come under Jewish control. The Arabic State would receive financial assistance on a substantial scalo both from the British Government and from the Jewish State.

"On the other hand, partition would secure the establishment of the Jewish national home and relieve it from any possibility of its being subjected in the future to Arabic rule."