MR LLOYD GEORGE.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1923, Page 2

MR LLOYD GEORGE.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, July U. Mr Lloyd George continuing his article on Palestine says: —

“The latest exhibition of this agitation is against the settling of pool Jews in the land their fathers made famous. Palestine, which once maintained a Jewish poulation of live millions, now, owing to tho blighting rule of the Turk, barely supports seven hundred thousand. The land once flowing with milk and honey is now largely a stony and unsightly desert. It Palestine is to he restored, it must he by settling Jews on its soil. Jewish re-settlement was started practically seventy years ago with Moiitcfioie s experiment. It has proceeded slowly hut steadily ever since. The Jew's cultivation produces richer and heavier crops than those of his Arab neighbour, for he has introduced more scientific met hods of cultivation.

•‘Tile effects of misrule and neglect cannot be restored in a single generation. Great irrigation works must be const meted it the settlement is to proceed on a satisfactory seal.e A settled government will give the Holy Land its first chance for nineteen hundred years, hut there is so much undeveloped country demanding the attention of civilisation that Palestine will lose its chance unless it is made* the s[>eeial charge of some powerful influence. The Jews alone can redeem it front the • wilderness, as the Arabs have neither the means, energy nor ambition to discharge that duty. The British Empire has too many burdens on its shoulders to carry this experiment through successfully, and flic Jewish race, with its genius, its resourcefulness, tenacity, and, not least, its wealth, can alone perform this essential task.

“EarL. Balfour’s declaration,” i'O'iicludes the writer, “was not an expropriating hut an enabling clause. Tt was only a charter of equality for the Jews. The declaration was subsequently adopted by President Wilson and the French and Italian Foreign Ministers, and the Zionists ask for no more. The Zioni-t memorandum to the League of 'Nations refutes the suggestion made by enemies that they will establish a Jewish oligarchy. There are fourteen million Jews ill the world; is it 100 much to ask that theso amongst them whose sufferings are the worst shall be allowed to find a refuge in the land their fathers made liolv by the splendour of their genius, by tbe lofliiicss of tlieir thoughts, by the consecration of their lives, and by the inspiration of their message to mankind.”