JEWS FOR RURAL NEW ZEALAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22826, 10 March 1936, Page 4

JEWS FOR RURAL NEW ZEALAND

TO THE EDITOR Sir, —I am a New Zealander and have visited other countries, and I have come to (he conclusion that this very fertile New Zealand wants more rural population to develop its waste lands in the back country. For instance, New Zealand has only about 30 persons to the square mile, whereas Japan. Italy and England have each about 400 persons to the square mile. We need men with initiative (already here) to start secondary industries or factories. Now, as there arc half a million Jews in Germany who are being severely persecuted, with many farmers among the number, may I suggest that groups of Jewish German farmers might 1)0 invited to settle in the back country? This being a humanitarian proposal—to assist a persecuted race—T think our Government should take some action in <hc matter, especially as New Zealand still possesses a good deal of waste, unoccupied land. The Jew is progressive, and every country in which the Jew settles prospers and his prosperity adds to the prosperity of the country he inhabits. Moreover, he

takes an active interest in the social, philanthropic and political life of the country, or city, in which he happens to reside.

I may explain that I am not a J'ow, nor has this letter been inspired by Jews. But before opening a business for myself I was employed for 18 years, in Australia and New Zealand, by Jewish firms, and found them to be strict and just and charitable where there was need. Sir, I would suggest that church federations and chambers of commerce organise a meeting in the Town Hall to be addressed by Jewish citizens who could tell to what extent the Jews are suffering in Germany, and the whole meeting should decide what could be done to relieve their condition. Or the secretary of the Committee for Jewish Refugees from Germany could be written to asking for full details of their position and what could be done for them. His address is—care of Sir Herbert Samuel (late High Commissioner of Palestine), 31 Porchester terrace, W., London. At the same time the possibilities of New Zealand for the settlement of undeveloped lands could be pointed out as well as its other rich potentialities. Sir Herbert Samuel is keenly interested in alleviating the condition of these Jews and some New Zealand descriptive literature could be sent to him. The Jew is seldom an addition to the unemployed group as he is skilled in organising and often becomes an employer of labour. Therefore he is an asset to the community. There are successful .Jewish farm settlements in Russia andalso in Palestine. —I am, etc.. A New Zeai.ander. Wellington, March 6.