LORD ALLENBY THANKED

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12356, 28 January 1926, Page 5

LORD ALLENBY THANKED

LIBERATOR OF JERUSALEM FUTURE OF ZIONISM ASSURED WONDERFUL PROGRESS Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, January 37. Lord 'Allenby’s stay of eleven hour* in Auckland was extremely busy. From the arrival of the Ulimaroa he was engaged with official calls and receiving private visitors at Government House. Representatives of the Jewish community of Auckland waited upon him and paid their tribute to the liberator of Palestine. The Rev. S. A. Goldstein said that as minister to the Auckland Hebrew congregation and in the name of the Zionists iu the Dominion, he deemed it a great pleasure to offer personally their tribute of l espect and admiration to Lord Allenby, who Had composed a prelude to the Balfonr Declaration. His association with the Hebrew University, both at the laying of the foundation stone and at the opening, and his sympathetic interest the movement had endeared him Jo the Zionists throughout the world. In a uew chapter of Jewish history, which tho Declaration had opened, his name would shine with distinction. Mrs David Nathan, on behalf of the Jewish women of New Zealand* also voiced 'a tribute. She referred particularly to the establishment by tbs New Zealand women of infant welfare centres in Palestine on the Plunket system. THE GREATER PRIVILEGE Lord Allenby, in reply, stated that it gave him pleasure to be of service to the British Empire, but it was a! greater privilege to have been the liberator of Jerusalem. He knew personally, and was a great admirer of the leader _of the Zionist movement, Dr C. Weizmann. After the capture of Jerusalem, Dr Weizmann had unfolded to him his plans for the development of Palestine. Following the issue of tho Balfour Declarition he had remarked at the time that he considered Dr ,'Weizmann's plans were somewhat idealistic and visionary, but at the opening of •the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, at which ho and Lady Allenby were present, he‘ had the pleasure and privilege of renewing his friendship with Dr Weizmann and congratulated him on the fact that, not. only had his original plans been realised, but even exceeded. MUSHROOM CITY He referred in detail to the wonderful development of Palestine and particularly to the amazing growth of the Jewish city of Taleviv, Where formerly had existed only !a few sand dunes, there had grown up in the space of a few years a city of 30,000 inhabitants, with modern buildings that would compare more than favourably with those of older cities. The progress of the past six years would he doubled and even trebled in the next few years. The Balfour Declaration, which was now part of the policy of the British Empire, had been endorsed by all the world powers. Ihe future of Zionism was absolutely assured. CIVIC RECEPTION A civic reception will he tendered Lrd and Lady Allenby at the Town Hall to-day, at a quarter past o’clock, by the Mayor, councillors, and citizens. The Mayor has issued an invitation to all citizens to be present, and also hopes that the employers will allow time off for all those who wish to lie present at the reception.