ZIONIST PROGRESS.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 16153, 1 December 1924, Page 6

ZIONIST PROGRESS.

IN PALESTINE. BELATIONS WITH ARABS. In conversation, Dr. Weizmann, President of the Zionest Organisation, summarised the impressions formed during his present visit to Palestine, as compared with those of three years ago.

The outstanding feature, he said, was that what earlier had appeared solely as idealism in the case of those educated or town-bred immigrants who undertook physical labour —an idealism likely to cease after the first enthusiasm had worn off —had justified itself. Whereas at the time of his previous visit, relations between Arabs and Jews were peniloutsly likely to explode, they were now, if not exactly satisfactory, yet nearly normal. Where the Jew and Arab of the peasant class were closely associated relations were very friendly, with a contin'jal interchange of ideas, of implements, and of hospitality. Whereas the earlier immigration of Jews was fostered and subsidised from Zionist funds and mainly attracted persons entirely dependent on the Organisation, there was now a strong stream of persons of independent means having a craft, or trade and unsupported by Ihe official Zionists. The official Zionist attitude was now almost to discourage, rather than encourage, immigration, lest the powers of absorption of Palestine should be taxed. Dr. Weizmann did nst rxpect nny change in British policy in Palestine, whatever Party might be in office. He was uncertain as to the effect which recent developments in the Hedjaz would have in Palestine, but he considered that they would tend to enhance the strategic importance of the Holy Land as a link in British communications. It was impossible now to allege that the British were holding Palestine solely for the benefit of the Jews, as Jewish development in Palestine was wholly beneficial to the interests of the Mandatory Power. The Arab Executive is alarmed at the developments in the Hedjaz and at recent Jewish purchases of large tracts of valuable land on the Plain of Esdraelon. It called a meeting recently to discuss the immediate convocation of the Seventh Arab Congress to deal with the situation.