PALESTINE'S OUTPUT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24083, 30 September 1941, Page 8

PALESTINE'S OUTPUT

INCREASE SINCE WAR RACIAL STRIFE FORGOTTEN Marked increases in Palestine' industrial and agricultural output since, the war in spite of damage from enemy bombing were described by Mr. A. Dickenstein, representative of the Workers' Bank, Limited, of Palestine, on his arrival at, Auckland by the Honolulu Clipper. Mr. Dickenstein has been negotiating for the purchase of machinery and raw materials for Palestine. output had risen 60 per cent since the war started, Mr. Dickenstein said, and industrial production 25 per cent. The enemy had frequently bombed industrial targets, particularly oil refineries at Haifa, but the damage had not been extensive. The bombs did not often find their targets. Palestine had been hit by the reduction of orange exports from 17,000,000 to 2.000,000 cases a year through lack of shipping, but the fruit had been converted into jelly, marmalade, juices and other by-products and had even been used as fodder lor cows. The increase in mixed farming and industry had absorbed all tho workers who had been engaged in the orange industry. Trouble between Arabs and Jews had ceased since the war, Mr. Dickenstein added. Both races were united in wanting a British victory. Relations between Australian and other troops and the local populace were most cordial.