ARABS’ DEMANDS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20739, 24 February 1939, Page 7

ARABS’ DEMANDS

REFUSED BY BRITAIN PROBLEMS IN PALESTINE DISCUSSIONS IN LONDON (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. CopyrightLONDON, Feb. 22 Tlie first combined meeting of Arabs, Jews and British delegates to the Palestine Conference will be held in St. James’ Palace to-morrow. It is emphasised that the meeting will be ■strictly informal and for a free discussion of general problems. Dr. Chaim Weizmann will lead the delegation from the Jewish Agency. Viscount Halifax. Mr Malcolm MacDonald and Mr R. A. Butler will also attend. The British and Arab delegations met to-day, when, it is believed, Mr MacDonald stated that Britain cannot accept the Arabs’ demand for immediate independence in Palestine, and suggested some form of limited participation in the control of the country's affairs.

It is understood that the Arabs’ demand for the entire stoppage of Jewish immigration was refused in favour of a scheme of limited immigration.

Their demand for the stoppage of land sales was also rejected in favour of a proposal to divided the country info three sections, one an intensively cultivated portion where sales would

be permitted; the second territory less cultivated where sales would be regulated, and the third the remainder of the country where sales would be prohibited.