PROPOSED JEWISH COLONY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 6 May 1907, Page 2

PROPOSED JEWISH COLONY.

Melbourne, May 4.

Mr. Alexander Marks, who is endeavoring to secure territory in Australia for the purpose of founding a .Tewisli colony, has received a somewhat remarkable letter from Mr. Israel Znngwill, the novelist. It 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. Air. Zangwill's letter-says: "Wo are quite satisfied with local autonomy. What we really want is elbow room and do not desire to solve the problem for a few thousands, but build up a possible ' future for (he whole people. I am quite aware that' Australia will light 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 >s w uking up to her folly and her possible future collapse. Jews could possibly safeguard her future as a white territory and thus we are in a position to dictate our own terms."

Mr. Zangwill continued: "The great mistake of I lie Jewish "jn-opli' has always bet-it to let utlicr people protit. liy their pioneer labor. 1 am convinced that the present attitude must puss away. What will help it to pass away will lie that the .lew takes a si rung manly attitude aud refuses to lie further exploited for nny political advantage* lie must value the bargain so I lint after lie has developed the country he is not turned round upon as a parasite aiul bloodsucker. Definition of territory must lie hia by public recognition, with land sufficiently healthy nnd sufficiently large. The gain to Australia would be no less tlmu tlie gain to our own people. Wc want no hypocritical piety, nor tolerance, but a fair bargain, profitable to both. Our utmost hope would be that in the far future there should be a Jewish province in Australia; perhaps even a Jewish state—not the least valuable member of the Australian Federation."