PROPOSED JEWISH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13895, 6 May 1907, Page 5

PROPOSED JEWISH

COLONY.

REMARKABLE LKTTBR BY MB

ZANGWILL,

Prces Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.

MELBOURNE, May 4.

Mr Alexander Marks, who is endeavouring to secure territory in Australia for tho purpose of founding a Jewish colony, has received a somewhat remarkable letter iroin Mr Israel Zangwill, the veil-known writer. It was in reply to one from Mr Marks stating that any form of independence was f|iiit« out of the question for any Jewish settlement in Australia, but that under Australian laws a large amount of local autonomy was possible.

Mr Zangwill, in bis letter, says: "We are quite satisfied with local autonomy, but what we really want is tlbow room. '\Ye do not desire to .solve the problem for a few thousands, but to build up, if possible, a future for the whole people. I am quite aware that Australia will light hard against giving way any territory or fostering our aims in any way, hut Australia has to choose between a black population and a Jewish white one. Australia is waking up to her folly and possible future collapse. The Jews could possibly safeguard her fuluTe as a white territory. Tims, we are in a position to dictate our term.?. The groat mistake of the Jewish people always lias been to let otlier people profit by their pioneer labour, I am confident that the present dog-in-the-manger attitude must pass away, and what will help it to pass away will he that the Jew shall take, a strong, manly attitude and refuse to be further exploited for any political advantage. Ho must value his bargain so that after ho hits developed the country he is not turned round upon as a paraeiU , and blooksucktr. The definition of the territory ho is to occupy must be his by public recognition. With land sufficiently healthy and sufficiently large I should have no fear of iho rest. The gain to Australia will be no lees than the gain to our own people. We want no hypocritical piety and no tolerance, but a fair bargain, profitable to buth. Our utmost hope would be that in the far future there should be a Jewish province in Austral in, perhaps even a Jewish State, as not the least valuable member of (he Australian Federation."