PEACE NEXT DOOR TO PALESTINE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21363, 5 June 1939, Page 7

PEACE NEXT DOOR TO PALESTINE

Friendly Transjordan District British Confidence In Emir Self Government Step Welcomed British Official Wireless (Received June 4, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, June 3. Discussing the latest step towards self-government which results from the agreement reached in London in the negotiations with the Chief Minister of Transjordan while the Palestine conference was at work, the Jerusalem correspondent of the "Times” says that it has been warmly welcomed in Transjordan as a sign of the confidence reposed in Abdullah ibn Husslen Emir by Britain, and as proof of the soundness of the foundation laid by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Henry Cox, who is about to retire after 15 years of service as British Resident. His successor, Mr A. S. Kirkbridge, has already entered upon his new duties.

In future the Emir, instead of having an Executive Council with advisory powers, will exercise authority through a Council of the heads of Departments responsible to himself. Legislative power is vested in a Council of 16 members elected by universal manhood suffrage, nine of them being Moslem Arabs, three Christian Arabs, two Circussians and two Bedouins, and the Chief Minister and heads of the Departments.

In a leading article the “Times” says that much has been heard of the troubles in Palestine during the last three years, but little of the peace and order which its neighbour has enjoyed in spite of conflicts at its door. The agreement denotes a further advance towards independent status and it should strengthen the Emir at intrigues in which the ex-Mufti and other Arab politicians are believed to have been concerned.