ZIONIST MOVEMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 September 1920, Page 5

ZIONIST MOVEMENT.

SETTLEMENT SCHEME EXPLAINED.' By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Wellington, Sept. 6. Mr. Israel Oohen, 8.A., who is visiting New Zealand on behalf of the Zionist movement, explained its aims to a large frablic meeting last night, at -which the Mayor presided, and Mr, Massey and Sir Robert Stout were present. Sir Robert Stout, while applauding the desire of the Jews to re-occupy Palestine, doubted whether many would go from a land like New Zealand. Mr. Massey agreed with this and alluded to Jews who, he said, had been prominent in politics, like Disraeli and Sir Julius Vogel. Both he and Mr. Wright, M.P., dwelt on the fulfilment of ■ scriptural prophecy by recent events. Mr) Cohen Said that Great Britain had recognised the moral and historic right ■of the Jews to Palestine and intended to help them to return. Mr. Balfour's declarations had come as a message of hope to the Jews and the means were now in British hands by which this scrap of paper would be honored; to fill it was also to Britain's interest. The country should be developed. ' At present there was difficulty in that there were half-a-million Arabs and only 80,000 Jews. The former protested against Jewish rule, but in fact it would be British rule. ' The Zionist organisation hoped in 12 months to put 30,000 settlers on the land and 80,000 in the next 12 months. This would only be possible if financial resources were available. A serious reason for pressing on with the work was the terrible sufferings of Jews in Central Europe to-day. Mr. Cohen, who was given a vote of thanks, informed his audience that he had already, in a day or two, raised £SOOO in Wellington.