PALESTINE POLICY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23600, 8 March 1940, Page 8

PALESTINE POLICY

LABOUR CENSURE MOTION DEFEAT IN COMMONS (Received March 7, 5.35 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, March (J A Labour motion declaring the policy regarding Palestine as set out in the White Paper of February 28 to be "inconsistent with the terms of the mandate," and made without the authority of the Council of the League of Nations, was moved in the House of Commons by Mr. P. J. Noel-Baker (Labour —Derby).

He said the Opposition was influenced by neither pro-Jew nor anti-Arab feelings. He believed that Jewish progress meant Arab progress, and that the prosperity of either resulted in greater wealth and happiness for all. Sir Archibald Sinclair, the Liberal leader, while expressing the view that the introduction of restrictions on land transfer constituted a betrayal of the Jews, said he did not propose to develop a case against the White Paper, because the Government had raised a much larger issue, which went to the root of the cause for which Britain was fighting—the freedom of men and nations, of which the rule of law and sanctity of contracts and treaties were indispensable supports. The mandate was an international treaty, and, if there were any doubts whether the action proposed was in conformity with treaty obligations, it was the Government's duty to clear up doubts before taking action. Replying, the Colonial Secretary, Mr. Malcolm expressed regret that a controversy had been raised at such a critical time. He added: "I assure the House that if it had been possible to maintain a firm and healthy peace in Palestine now, by a policy of masterly inactivity, I should have shown myself a very master in doing nothing at all. "It is only because 1 believe, and the Government believes, that the present policy is essential —to the maintenance of good and imparital Government, and to enable us to mobilise our forces and prosecute a victorious conclusion of the war against Nazi Germany—that we are troubling the House with this legislation." The motion was defeated by 292 votes to 129.

SITUATION NORMAL (Received March. 7, 5.5 p.m.) JERUSALEM, March 6 The situation in Palestine has been restored to normal. As an outcome of the recent demonstrations, two people ( are dead and 300 are injured. The latter include 12 British and fchraej Jewish-constublea, .