JEWISH REFUGEES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23178, 26 October 1938, Page 15

JEWISH REFUGEES

ENTRY TO DOMINION SELECTION OF IMMIGRANTS SUGGESTION BY RABBI KATZ [by TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Tuesday A statement that ho had waited on the New Zealand Government concerning the admittance of Jewish refugees and that lie thought the problem would be met sympathetically was made by Rabbi S. Ivatz, when addressing the Junior Chamber of Commerce. "I think they would be greatly helped by expressions of opinion from the public and such bodies as this," lie said. The Rabbi stated that mass immigration was not sought. The life history and capabilities of every immigrant would lie known and vouched for. The civilised world was troubl 'i.; itself with the problem ol giving refugees a home and a chance of rehabilitating themselves. The problem was not easy because while the nations professed humanitarian sentiments, they did not seem willing to translate these into practical deeds. No country seemed courageous enough to make a start.

Until the present Australia had followed the same immigration policy as New Zealand. Now Australia had net in motion machinery for the admittance of 50,000 people in 10 years. England was admitting only a limited number. German and Austrian Jews were in many cases skilled artisans, willing and able to establish new industries and create employment for local people. "When a Jew settles in a country," said the speaker, "ho adopts that country as his own because he lias no other country to go back to." The Jew was imbued with a sense of loyalty and gratitude to the country which gave him shelter. New Zealand had pursued a very cautious immigration policy. It was felt that there was room for "the settlement of large numbers of Jews who would make a valuable contribution spiritually, socially and to the lile of tho country. Rabbi Ivatz suggested that New Zealand could not hope for any great population accretion from Britain. Jewish immigrants of the typo he suggested would be as valuable to New Zealand as British 6tock.