PLEA FOR JEWISH REFUGEES

Southland Times, Issue 23649, 26 October 1938, Page 4

PLEA FOR JEWISH REFUGEES

SETTLEMENT IN N.Z. SUGGESTED GOVERNMENT WAITED ON BY RABBI (United Press Associatiqn) WELLINGTON, October 25. A statement, that he had waited on the New Zealand Government about the admittance of Jewish refugees and that he thought the problem would be met sympathetically was made by the Rabbi, the Rev. S. Katz, when addressing the Junior Chamber of Commerce. “I think they would be greatly helped by expressions of opinion from the public and such bodies as this, he said. . .... The Rabbi said that mass immigration was not sought. The life history and capabilities of every immigrant would be known and vouched for. The civilized world was troubling itself with the problem of giving refugees a home and the chance of rehabilitating themselves. The problem was not easy, because while nations professed humanitarian sentiments, they did not seem willing to translate these into practical deeds. No country seemed courageous enough to make a start. Australia had lately come into the limelight. Up till now Australia had followed the same immigration policy as New Zealand. Now Australia had set in motion machinery for the admittance of 50,000 persons in 10 years. England was only admitting a limited number. German and Austrian Jews were in many cases skilled artisans, willing and able to establish new industries and create employment for local people. “When a Jew settles in a country,’ said the speaker, “he adopts that country as his own, because he has no other country to go back to.” The Jew was imbued with a sense of loyalty and gratitude to the country which gave him shelter. New Zealand had pursued a very cautious immigration policy. It was felt that there was room for the settlement of large numbers of Jews, who would make a valuable contribution, spiritually, socially and economically, to the life of the country. He suggested that New Zealand could not hope for any great population accretion from Britain. Jewish immigrants of the type he suggested would be as valuable to New Zealand as British stock. The Press in New Zealand had been most sympathetic. His suggestion combined the utilitarian and moral side.