IDEALS OF ZIONISM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3829, 2 August 1927, Page 23

IDEALS OF ZIONISM.

ARRIVAL OF DR GOLDSTEIN. RE-CREATING THE PALESTINE HOMELAND. On Thursday afternoon the south-bound express brought to Dunedin Dr Alexander Goldstein, LL.D., one of the most noted of present-day Jewish leaders, and champion of a great, international movement of Zionism. He was welcomed by representatives of the most southern established Jewish community in the world, apd was congratulated on the success he has already achieved during- his stay in New Zealand. Dr Goldstein possesses a magnetic personality that has set him among the foremost figures in the Zionist organisation. He is alert and of scholarly bearing, with a quick restlessness that betrays an almost overflowing reserve of nervous energy. When interviewed by our representative shortly after his arrival, he was obviously feeling the effects of a trying journey through'from Wellington, but hastened with smiling eagerness to tell of his work and ideals.

Though for many years he has been recognised as a brilliant European orator, politician, and scholar, Dr Goldstein’s present activities are centred on the rebuilding of the Jewish Homeland in Palestine. His mission to New Zealand is the promotion of the spread of this movement, and his arrival in Auckland on July 5 marked the opening of a tour that is Creating unprecedented interest among the Jewish sections of the community

Dr Goldstein is a doctor of laws of the University of Petrograd. In 1901 he joined the Zionist movement, and his outstanding ability as an organiser and lecturer soon made him one of the leaders of the Russian Jews. For 18 years lie was one of the editors of the great Jewish newspaper Rassviet, in the city now known as Leningrad. In 1917 he was elected to the Russian Parliament, and two years later he became the representative of over 3,000.000 Jews resident in the Ukraine, on the committee of Jewish delegations at the Peace Conference in Paris. It was this committee, to which Dr Goldstein was elected by popular vote, that succeeded in having incorporated into the Peace Treaties highly important provisions for the protection of Jewish rights. Because of his exceptional talents Dr Goldstein has been entrusted with a number of important missions on behalf of the Palestine Foundation Fund many different countries, and he has visited every Jewish centre of importance in the world. Everywhere he has been received with the greatest enthusiasm, and his cecss as a collector on behalf of the fund has been phenomenal. In 1925 he acted as chairman of the Special Campaign Committee of the Foundation Fund in Engl. of which Sir Alfred Mond, M.P., was president. The campaign, which was launched by the committee, succeeded in doubling the amount of money received, so far as England was concerned. Last year Dr Goldstein led a very successful campaign in Holland, and lie is at present carrying out a similar tour of New Zealand, Australia, the Dutch Indies, India, and the Far East. ENTHUSIASTIC CIVIC RECEPTION. An eager audience, composed for the most part, of Jewish citizens, was held enthralled at the Town Hall on Friday morning by the appealing oratory of Dr Alexander Goldstein, LL.D., special ambassador of the Zionist movement, who arrived in Dunedin on Thursday afternoon. It was the occasion of a civic reception to the distinguished visitor, tendered by the Mayor (Mr W. B. Taverner) on behalf of the city, and in reply to a cordial greeting, Dr Goldstein outlined the great and romantic scheme to rebuild the Jewish Homeland in Palestine. Besides a fair proportion of the Jewish community of Dunedin; led by the Rev. A. Astor, there were present clergymen of many denominations, Mr 11. L. Tapley, M.P., Sir George Fenwick, Sir William Sim, representatives of the City Council, and other leading citizens. In welcoming Dr Goldstein as a Jewish friend from overseas, the Mayor said that all present would be aware that his visit was in connection with the Zionist movement, and that his direct object was to revive and enlist the further support of the people, of his own faith in the great aims of Zioniism. His visit was of more than ordinary interest, and it could safelv be assumed that the general public, as well as the Jewish community, was deeply interested in the re-establishing of Palestine as the home ef the Jewish race. Six years ago Dunedin had been visited by Mr Israel Cohen, who was then touring on behalf of the organisation. At that time ho had stated that there were 80,000 Jews in the Holy Land, and he had expressed the hope that in the course of 12 months another 30,000 would be added. The speaker trusted that Dr Goldstein would be able to say that the hope had been abundantly fulfilled. Records taken from a period of hundreds of years showed that the Jews had periodically ascended to power, but had suffered terrible degradations. ' Yet, despite all, the racial tenacity had been retained in a wonderful manner. In 1923 there were fifteen and a-half millions of Jews, scattered throughout the world, and of these over 1,000,000 were members of the British Empire. The Zionist movement. initiated in 1895 by Dr Herzl, had been the beginning of one of the ' most enthralling undertakings of modern times. It appealed to the European Jews in particular, because their lot was far from enviable. It doubtless held an appeal on religious as well as material grounds, and the movement had the full sympathy of the Christian community. The public also was more or less familiar with tlie events leading up to the defeat of the Turk and to the subsequent mandatory arrangement whereby the Government of the country was vested in Great Britain. In the spring of 1917, when General Sir A. Murray fought his way with success through the desert from Eglpt to Palestine, serious reverses suffered before Gaza caused delay, but in

October the British forces, under Fieldmarshal Viscount Allenby, began an irresistible advance. They captured the enemy’s well-fortified lilies between Gaza and Beersheba, and they advanced so rapidly that on November 9 Jetsualem surrendered without fighting. No army attacking Jerusalem compared in numbers or in variety of race and religion with this one, yet never had a city been conquered with less material damage. With the new regime had begun a new, and glorious chapter in the long and stormy history of the country. Observers had stated that the activity of the Zionists was increasingly obvious in the establishment of libraries, schools, and newspapers. The continued settlement of the country would doubtless in time have both a political and a military importance and under the guidance and care of Britain, the industry of the people would, he trusted, again make the land flow with milk and honey. To the Jews the world owed much in literature, law, philosophy, and medicine and every country could count its people as among the foremost in intellectual progress. To take a sympathetic and a practical interest in the repatriation of the Jewish people was in keeping with the best traditions. It should be said that Dr Goldstein came to the Dominion with a most meritorious record of service in relation to the migratory aspirations of the Jewish people, and his residence in Palestine entitled him to be regarded as one who thoroughly understood the subject. His visit was one of very great interest, and he (the speaker) had pleasure in congratulating the Jewish community upon having such an able and distinguished leader. He trusted that Dr Goldstein would enjoy his stay in Dunedin, and he believed that his address would keenly interest a very large number of citizens.

Sir George Fenwick said that no on© could posibly fail to regard with m terest th© great movement for the return to Palestirfo- of the Jewish race. ’ That it would succeed was, he thought, proved bo vond doubt. “This great change in the lives of a people whose history dates back to remote ages lias ben brought about by two agencies,” said Sir George. “First, the building up of a fund which is devoted to the purchase of land in Palestine to bo held as a national Jewish possession, for ever inalienable; and secondly, a separate organisation whose funds are devoted to the settlement of Jewish people on the lands acquired. The first of these funds, known as the Jewish National Fund, had small beginnings at the holding of th© first Zionist Congress in 1901. By the close of 1925 land in Palestine had been purchased and improved at an expenditure of os’er £1,000,000, of which, however, there remained instalments of purchase money due to the extent of £350,000. As the records state this is the sum of a quarter of a. century’s activities, based on the daily gifts of Jews throughout the world. But the acquirement of the land was merely the initial part of this patriotic movement. Funds had to be provided for the settlement of the repatriated people in Palestine, and thus there arose another great organisation called the Keren Hayesod, or Palestine Foundation Fund, whoso expenditure in settlement of the people in agricultural pursuits and other occupations, and on buildings, public works, education, etc., reached the gigantic total at March 31, 1925, of £1,729,350. “The measure of success that has already followed the patriotic efforts of the Keren Hayesod is an augury of what is erti:n to be witnessed in years to come. It may bo remembered that in 1922 Great Britain was appointed the Mandatory of the League of Nations, for the administration of Palestine. In June, 1920, the annual Zionist Conference held in London, had resolved to found a Palestine Immigration and Colonisation Fund, which was to find the income for Zionist work in Palestine. This was registered in London in the following year, and immediately commenced its work. This body worked in cordial accord with the British Government, which viewed with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, so long as they did nothing to prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities. Quite extraordinary success has been achieved in the four or five years since the migration movement began. Extensive areas of land have been acquired as the property of tl(e Jewish people as a whole. Flourishing agricultural settlements have been founded. Garden city suburbs have been brought into existence near old established towns. Modern sanitation has been introduced. A comprehensive education system has been developed. “Cultivation of the land is one of the cardinal features of the various settlements that have been formed, and crops of wheat, maize, barley, hay, flax, lucerne, etc., flourish in areas that were formerly waste land. Payment for the -attic, machinery, implements, seeds, etc., has been advanced by the Keren Hayesod. Some of the settlements are organised on co-operative lines, in others the principle of individual effort is current. The greater part of the settlers are labourers and aitisans, their ages between 19 and 30. 1 hen there is a system of public works of considerable magnitude and under it Jewish labour co-operatives have carried out contracts, the value of which up to December, 1924, amounted to no less than £750.0jC. There is a fine system of elementary and secondary public schools, technical schools, and apprentice workshops. “As a reward for all this, the public spirited men of the Jewish race who have devoted their energies and their money to the furtherance of this great movement have the satisfaction of knowing that their efforts are being crowned with success, that a new type, of character is being developed in their humbler compatriots, whose, industry and happiness under their inspiring conditions of life are gratifvingly manifest. More than that, every Jewish citizen in the world who has a copper to spare, . knows that he also is doing his share, in this wonderful renaissance of his race. “Under these truly inspiring conditions we have. the visit of Dr Goldstein,” concluded Sir George. > The Rev. Mr Astor, on behalf of the Jewish community, expressed the eagerness with which everyone had looked forwax-d to the visit of Dr Goldstein. As citizens of New Zealand and the British Empire they were specially interested in the message from the Holy Land. zjionism was the most romantic movement In the history of the Jewish people—he might say in the history of the ■world. They realised that it was impossible for all to return to the ancient homeland, but they looked on the Balfour Declaration as of the greatest

importance since that of Cyrus the Great to the Jews in exile. He assured the visitor that the Jews of Dunedin fully realised their duty and responsibility. In reply to the welcome Dr Goldstein said he had been deeply moved and honoured by the reception given to him. His work as a “Wandering Jew” seeking assistance for the re-building of Palestine was arduous, but such bright occasions as that wl ich he was enjoying, gave added strength and inspiration. Lord Robert Cecil had said that two great things camo out of the European War—the League of Nations, and the return to Palestine of the Jewish race. Vi hen I,ord Balfour made his famous declaration he did much more than express the approval of the British Government to the population of Palestine by the Jews: he had taken a page out of the Bible and incorporated it in the British Constitution.

In the lime of Jesus Christ the Jewish population in Palestine was a large one-to-day the members of the Jewish race were scattered throughout the world. Yet a homeland was being created, and why not? There were Scotsmen and Irishmen infall parts of the world; yet there was a Scotland and an Ireland. The experiment was a difficult one and inen, land, ami money were needed, but the homeland of the Jewish race was going to be fully created. r lhe country bad been ruined and devastated under the Turkish rule and to redeem it, great patience, hope, and toil were needed. Planting had already begun, the Jews had drained the marshes, made fertile the barren wastes, and had tilled the soil. The produce of the land cultivated by Jewish settlers was already famous. In dustries were badiy needed, and money was greatly needed for this work. In reality, a land flowing only with milk and honey was poor, but a land of coal and oil was rich, and the plan of harnessing the Jor dan to gain electric power had been conceived. This would flood Palestine with light and provide the energy for birr industries.

L° do al] that a stream of money had to flow into Palestine, for the great majority of the new settlers from the war areas of Central Europe were penniless. Thev had been ruined by pogroms, massacres and th« collapse of the exchange rates. It was 1900 years since the Jewish people had been agriculturists for they had been forced since then into the cities and the occupations they now followed. After all those years 1,000,000 young men were once more out in lhe fields of Palestine creating a new population which could be likened to iue days of King David. The base of a nation s pyramid was the industries of the field, and no nation could be healthy without creating them properly and substantially. Iq-day, in all parts of Europe Jews were training and fitting themselves for tne clay when they would be called to Palestine.

lariff problems had to be faced, and if tho Jewish race wanted to redeem and colonise a country with people who were starved and penniless, sufficient money would have to be provided voluntarily. I hat was the solo means of income, aiid an idea of (he difficulties would be gained if one paused to contemplate the position ot the Dunedin City Council if rates and taxes . were provided only by voluntary subscription. For that reason ho was lecturing to Jews in all parts of the world, and 111 . s ’ x languages. Three-quarters of the Jewish people had nothing to give, yet since 1920 the remainder had given nearly £4,000,000 There were 2200 Jewsin New Zealand, and 20 families were resident in Dunedin. He had been deeplv moved by tho response to his appeal throughout New Zealand, and in Dunedin whore, on Thursday evening at his first meeting, those present had competed eagerly with each other in an effort to help.

Tho bringing of the Jewish people to Palestine had already resulted in tho creating of cities. Tel Aviv, a city of 42,000 people, did not exist 19 years ago. It was as yet a baby city but it was the only ICO per cent. Jewish city in the world—from the youngest nolicenian to the mayor every man was a Jew. At the beginning of the work Palestine was a Tower of Babel, containing. Jews from all parts of tho world, speaking many different languages. To-day, Hebrew—tho language of the Bible—had been revived. Everywhere in Palestine Hebrew was spoken. Men used it to one another, babies spoke it to their mothers, services were taken in the original Jewish tongue. Men even swore in Hebrew.—(Laughter.) The new political conditions under which the Jews were living in Palestine were better -than ever before, and all were looking forward to the time when the League of Nations would declare it as a dominion oi the British Empire. Tne reception was then closed by the Mayor, and Dr Goldstein privately greeted many of those present. . ADDRESS IN BURNS HALL. The fact that the Burns Hall was filled on Saturday night, when an address was given by Dr Alexander Goldstein, special emissary from Palestine of the Zionist movement to the Overseas Dominions, can only be regarded as a striking tribute to the missioner and to the cause which he advocates. The weather was not of the kind to tempt one out of doors, but it is safe to say that those who listened to Dr Goldstein’s address spent a very pleasant and profitable evening. Dr Goldstein, who is a remarkably eloquent and fluent speaker, dealt with his subject from practically every standpoint, and handled it in such an attractive manner that he gripped the attention of his audience at the start of his address and held it to the finish. His remarks brought forth frequent bursts of applause, and his keen sense of humour on occasions was the cause of hearty laughter. All sections of the community, and practically all shades of religion, were represented in the audience. The Deputy-mayor (Mr J. S. Douglas) presided, and amongst those who occupied seats on the stage were Bishop Richards, Archdeacon Fitchett, the Rev. Di Dickie, the Rev. Dr Merrington, the Rev. Tulloch Yuillc, the Rev. J. M Simpson, the Rev. H. E. Bellhouse, the Rev. Mr Astor, Staff-captain Buttimore (Salvation Army), Sir George Fenwick, Professor Thompson, Dr Hercus, Mr C. M Gilray, and Mr IL C. Campbell. The Chairman apologised for the absence of the Mayor (Mr W. B. Taverner), who, he explained, was suffering from influenza. Cr Douglas said he was very pleased to have the opportunity of presiding and expressing his deep ap-

preciation of the assistance <»iven from' time to time by the Jewish community in Dunedin, especially in connection with the University.’ The speaker remarked that Dr Goldstein and he, as president of the Scottish societies, would make a very good combination. He knows how to get the money, and we know how to keep it,” said Cr’Douglas, amidst laughter. The Chairman concluded by wishing Dr Goldstein every success in his tour through the Dominion. D r Goldstein said he thought it was one of the most beautiful manifestations of the brotherhood of mankind and of the better spirit prevailing among the better elements of the nations, that not only Jews, but many thousands of noblespirited non-Jews all over the world, were watching with deep and sincere sympathythe work now being done in connection with, tlie Zionist movement in Palestine. Lord Robert Cecil had said that two great results had come out of the World War—the. League of Nations and the Jewish national home in Palestine. He would try to explain what wa s really the heart of the movement of this most ancient race economically, culturally, politically, and spiritually. Economically the ’Jewish people were a crippled ’ people. There, were millions of Jews who did not live as they lived in Britain and the United States, as free citizens. There were millions of Jews whose misfortune doomed taem to live in the eastern, or even central part of Europe. Among the teeming millions of isastern Europe very large numbers of tho Jewish people had been settled for centuries, and had been downtrodden and outcast, and they had specially suffered in every revolution, civil war, or calamity which occurred in these countries. A s to the economic problem, during tho 1900 years since Palestine was destroyed and the Temple of Jerusalem was burnt down, the Jews had been squeezed into ghettoes. They had not been allowed to buy land, or to be farmers, or to enter certain professions. In that wav they had become a crippled people. He referred to the deplorable conditions of the millions of Jews in some of the Eastern countries of Europe, especially followin'” the war. During the last 25 years 4,000,000 Jews had left their homes’ in Russia, Poland. Ukraine, and Rumania, and had crossed the Atlantic, going mostly to the United •States, and had created a comunity of Jews there who had contributed immensely to the welfare of that country. Under the immigration laws following the war, however, the quotas allowed to come from each foreign country had been reduce'd, and now only about 7500 Jews w-ere entering the United States annually. But thousands and thousands must migrate from Europe or become paupers. Dr Goldstein then dealt with the sub ject of Jewish culture, which he described as the whole intellectual and spiritual expression of the Jewish people, its literature of all ages, its history in the past, and its hope in the future. The two basic foundations of that culture were the Bible and the Hebrew language. The first was the depository of its profounded conceptions and its fundamental teachings; the other the permanent instrument of its thought. He described the persecution and martyrdom to which the people had been subjected. Every race had a genius of its own. No one would deny that the Jews were a gifted race, and if they were allowed to develop their own lives they would develop the genius of their race.

They wanted to take hundreds of thousands of downtrodden Jews from parts ot the world in which thev were suffering and take them to the old cradle of the Jewish nation, Palestine, and develop them on lines of healthy, normal people. The population of Palestine to-day was 700,000. It seemed as if some superhuman eye had been watching and keeping Palestine ready for tho hour when the Jews would be able to return to their national home. The problem had seemed almost impossible of solution. Not only outsiders, but many Zionists even had been doubtful : but it could be said now that the problem had been solved. Thousands and thousands of young Jewish men and women, th© pioneers, were now leaving the cities they were born, and were settling in Palestine. Many had forsaken the prospect of fine careers in other lands, and were assisting to redeem the ancient land of Israel, and, sustained by their idealism, were succeeding, in spite of almost insuperable difficulties. Those taking a leading part in the movement wanted to go on at a never-increas-ing speed in redeeming the land, draining thfe malarial-stricken marshes, irrigatin'” the dry areas, and bringing in new people to settle on the land and make it prosperous. Dr Goldstein described the wonderful transformation that had already lieen effected and mentioned the large export of oranges, the cultivation of grapes, bananas, and other fruits. All this had been done in a few years. They had shown that if they’ onlv had enough money and proper men, and thev had them, that they could once more have-in Palestine “a land flowing with milk and honey.” Of course, if thev wore to bring largo numbers of Jews to Palestine, they must provide work for them, and therefore thev must have new industries. The generosity -of England in supporting the movement was acknowledged, a special tribute being paid to Lord Balfour. The political sid" of the movement was referred to —all political parlies in England supported it, as did the members of the American Congress. The lecturer dealt with the religious side of the. movement, and concluded with an eloquent peroration in which lie expressed a strong hone for the attainment of the ideals of the Jewish peopleand an opportunity of building up their l national home.

Oi the motion of the Rev. Dr Meriington seconded by Dr Kerens, a hearty vote thanks was accorded Dr Goldstein for hi? address, and the hone was expressed that he would meet with a full measure of success in the great movement in which ho was engaged.

The meeting concluded with the singing, of the National Anthem.