A JEWISH COLONY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13278, 6 May 1907, Page 5

A JEWISH COLONY.

LOOKING TO AUSTRALIA. LETTER BY A HEBREW NOVELIST. United Press Association —Per Electric Telegraph—Copyright. MELBOURNE, May 4. Mr Alexander Marks, who is endeavouring to secure territory in Australia for the purpose of founding a Jewish colony, has received a somewhat remarkable letter from Mr Israel Zangwill, the novelist. The letter was in reply to one from Mr Marks, stating that any form of independence was quite out of the question for a Jewish settlement in Australia, but that under Australian laws a large amount of local autonomy was possible. Mr Zangwill's letter says —"We are quite satisfied with, local autonomy. . What We really rwant is. elbow room. . We do not desire:'to solve the problem, for a few thousands, but to build up a possible future for the whole people. I am quite hware that Australia will fight hard .-against giving away any territory or fostering our aims in any way; but Australia, has to choose between a black population and a Jewish white one. Australia is. waking up to .her folly .and her possible collapse. The Jews cbuld possibly safeguard her future- as white; territory. Thus we are in a position to dictate: our terms. The great mistake' of .{jhe Jewish people has always been to let other people profit by, their pioneer labour. I am confident that ■the, present dog in-tlie-manger attitude musfc pass away. What will help to pass it a,way will be. for the Jew to tate a strong: manly attitude and refuse to be further exploited for any political, advantage. He . niust strike a. bargain so that after lie lias developed the country he in not turned round upon as a parasite and n. bloodsucker. Ths territory must be bis by vrublic • recognition, -with land sufficiently healthy and sufficiently large. The gain to Australia would, be no -loss than the ftain to our own people. ; Wc want no hypocritical piety, no tolerance.' but- a fair bargain, urnfitable .to both. Our u' most hope' would be that in' the far future tbrvre should be 'a. 'Jewish province in Australia, oerhaps «ven %a Jewi e li •sitate, which won! rl be not the least valuable member of the Australian Federation.-' . . ' -