PALESTINE RIOTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17227, 5 April 1930, Page 17

PALESTINE RIOTS

APPROVAL OF REPORT WELLINGTON OPINION ZIONIST SATTSFACTTON * Regarded by Zionists as. on the whole, of a very satisfactory nature, particularly with reference to the allocation of the responsibility of the massacres, and the recognition by the commission of the material benefits conferred on Palestine by the work of the Zionist organisation, the report of Ihe Palestine Commission has been welcomed bv the .lews everywhere.

A favorable opinion of the report was expressed by Mr. Ben Croon, editor of the Jewish Times, in an interview in Wellington.

"The altitude of New Zealand Jewry was faithfully indicated by the cable message forwarded to the British CoveruiiuMij through Sir Joseph Ward by Mr. N. Alfred Nathan, president of the Auckland Hebrew Congregation, ai the commencement of the disturbances last vear." said Mr. Green.

"The cable affirmed complete confidence in llic ability of tlic British Government io restore order and administer justice, iiii.l tliiil confidence will lII' si I'l'lliJllll'lM'll by tlic report .just published. MURDEROUS AS.SAUI'.TS "From :i Jewish point of view, continued Mr. Green, two most important points are made clear in the report. The tiiM is 'that from the beginning the out breaks Were attacks by Arabs on .lews for which no excuse was established.' "The Commission now makes it perfectly clear that the disturbances were simply murderous assaults by the Arab's on an unarmed and inoffensive section of tin- populace. "Equally important is the statement in the report acknowledging the fact that Jewish enterprise and immigration have conferred material advantages on Palestine, which the Arabs have shared. Owing largely to Zionist efforts, Palestine has made more progress in the last few decades than it had for 1000 years preceding. During the last ']o years alone over £10,000,000 have been spent by the Zionist organisation in improving the country. Modern methods of agriculture have been introduced, malarial swamps drained, and fertile farms substituted, hospitals established, and infant welfare clinics opened, and in all these benefit's, conferred by Jewish enterprise and capital, the Arab has benefited equally with the Jew. DISAPPOINTED ARABS "The report refers to the disappointment of the Arabs in not. realising their political and national aspirations. It must be realised, said Mi'. Green, thai tlic Jews had not attempted to accomplish anything in Palestine that would hinder legitimate Arab aspirations. On the contrary, since the war the Arabs have realised far more of their national aims than the .lews are likely to do for many years to come. "The Jewish ideal is the establishment of a public, legally-secured home in Palestine for the Jewish people. This ideal has received the endorsement of Great Britain and of the world's leading Powers, but it will be many years before it is consummated. A GREAT KINGDOM "On the other hand, the Arabs aimed at the creation of a gigantic Arab kin-dom. extending from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf and from Armenia to the Indian Ocean, including Palestine, Syria and .Arabia. Although these aspirations were neither reasonable nor possible and were thus foredoomed to failure, the Arabs have realised a far "greater measure of their hopes than the Jews, or indeed than many of the small nations which sought emancipation at the close of the World War. This is proved by the fact that out of 10,000,000 Arabs who were formerly under Turkish rule, nearly S,0lit).000 now live in independent 'Arab kingdoms. "The commission's conclusion that Palestine cannot support an increased agricultural population without a radical change in farming methods is in accordance with the belief and policy of the Zionist organisation, which is introducing the principles of modern scientific fanning into a land that litis been tilled in the same primitive manner for centuries. "Many Jewish people will endorse the note' of reservation made by Mr. Henrv Snell, a member of the Commission, who takes a more serious view of the responsibility Of the Arab leaders for the disturbances." JEWS' ENTHUSIASM Concluding. Air. Green stated that the work of establishing ii Jewish home in Palestine Would be continued with unabated enthusiasm. 'ihe Jewish >ple." he said, "have complete faith in the intention ot the British Government to adhere to the solemn promise embodied in the Balfour Declaration. The late I'hirl <d Balfour, whose death was deeply lamented bv world Jewry, referring t„ Great Britain and Jewish national aspirations, stated: 'We are partners in this gr enterprise. .It we fail von. you cannot succeed. It.you fail us, you cauiiot succeed. It we pull together we can succeed.' ' "The Jews have not failed to carry out their obligations in Palestine, and the report of tho Palestine Commission indicates that Great Britain Will maintain its pledge to the Jewish people. "The ultimate success of the Jewish national home in Palestine must tlms be assured, and. if the consummation is not 10 come immediately, ihe Jewish idea! will not abate, for MOO years ot exile have taught u» patience.--boiiii 11 ion.