PALESTINE POLICY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 May 1939, Page 8

PALESTINE POLICY

WHITE PAPER PROPOSALS STEPS TOWARDS GOAL OF INDEPENDENCE. LIMITS ON IMMIGRATION OF JEW'S. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) RUGBY, May 17. The White Paper on Palestine states that Palestinian heads of departments will sit on the Executive Council which advises the High Commissioner. Arab and Jewish representatives will be invited to serve as heads of departments approximately in proportion to their respective populations. The number of Palestinians in charge of departments will be increased as circumstances permit, until all heads of departments are Palestinian, exercising administrative and advisory functions which at present are performed by British officials. When that stage has been reached, consideration will be given to the question of converting the Executive Council into a Council of Ministers. Britain makes no proposals at this stage regarding the establishment of an elective legislature. Nevertheless, Britain would regard this as an appropriate constitutional development. At the end of five years from the restoration of peace and order, an appropriate body, representative of the people of Palestine and the British Government, will review the position land make recommendations regarding the constitution of an independent Palestine State. If at the end of ten years it appears to Britain that, contrary to its hope, circumstances require a postponement of the establishment of an independent State, Britain will invite the co-operation of representatives of the people of Palestine, the League Council and neighbouring Arab States in framing plans • for achieving the desired objective at the earliest possible date. The White Paper also proposes that Jewish immigration during the next five years should be at a rate which, if economic absorptive capacity permits, will bring the Jewish population up to Approximately one-third of the total population of the country.

“BREACH OF FAITH” UNCOMPROMISING STAND BY JEWS. POLICY DEVOID OF MORAL BASIS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 12.35 p.m.) LONDON, May 17. A Jewish Agency statement says the new Palestine policy is a breach of faith and surrender to Arab terrorism in which Jews will not acquiesce. It denied, them the right -to establish a national home in their ancestral coun, try, put the Jews at the mercy of the Arab majority and created a territorial ghetto. This policy must widen the breach between Arabs and Jews and undermine the hope 'of peace. It was devoid of moral basis and contrary to international law. Such a regime could only be established and maintained by force. The Government had disregarded the Royal Commission’s warning that the Jews probably would' fight rather than submit to Arab rule. “It is the darkest hour in Jewish history,” the statement declares, “but will not subdue the people.”