A HOLY LAND

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20740, 25 February 1939, Page 7

A HOLY LAND

PALESTINE PROBLEMS IMPORTANT CONFERENCES HOPE TO END DISORDER l Untied Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON. Feto. 23 In coaiiiHjatkm of the work of the Palestine conferences an informal meeting between representatives of the neighbouring Arab States. Egypt, Irak and Saudi Arabia, representatives of the Jewish Agency and the United Kingdom delegation, including Viscount Halifax, Mr Malcolm MacDonald and Mr R. A. Butler, took place to-day. The discussion was of a general character and a further meeting will be held tomorrow. The Palestine conferences were mentioned in the House of Commons when Mr MacDonald moved a supplementary estimate of £14,400 on account of expenses incurred in the conferences. Great Responsibility Mr MacDonald said how delighted the Government had been to welcome the various representatives to London. He continued: “The members of the conferences have great responsibility and a great opportunity. If they can, in co-operation, bring peace in Palestine by agreement they will be doing something which will be in the best interests of Arabs and Jews alike in Palestine, and which will earn the gratitude of many millions of peoole in all parti of the world who are anxious that disorders should end in a land which is holy for Christians, Moslems and Jews.” The Leader of the Opposition, Mr C. R. Attlee, supporting the vote, said: We are all deeply concerned that these discussions should succeed. We reiilise the enormous issues involved and tlie complexity of these questions 1 am glad Mr MacDonald stressed the responsibility of those taking part. I think the responsibility is not only for tlie future ol Palestine—it may concern the future of the world, because if at this time we can get a peaceable settlement between these conflicting races it may set an example that may be followed by the rest of the world.” Vote Agreed To Mr Attlee was supported by Sir Percy Harris for the Liberals and bv Mr James Maxton, and the vote was agreed to without difficulty. Other supplementary estimates on account of Palestine presented by Mr MacDonald included £1,120,700 In connection with the defence of Palestine and Transjordan, as well as a grant in view of expenditure incused by the Palestine Government arising from the disturbances. Both had been necessitated by the deterioration in the situation which had occurred subsequent to the presentation of the original estimates, and which had involved despatch of police and military reinforcements to Palestine. “It is at least satisfactory,” said Mr MacDonald, “that as the result of military and police reinforcements and extra expenditure, the position in Palestine has improved slowly but surely over recent months.” Sabotage and Assassination The Colonial Secretary continued that the main trouble now was in the constant series of individual acts of sabotage and assassination, which ! were far more difficult to deal with ! than the previous class of disturbances, and would take longer to suppress altogether. “In a recent speech,” Mr MacDonald said, “1 used the phrase ’the military could restore order in Pales- , tine, but they could not bring peace.' | That task is for the Government and Parliament, and is a political problem ; but it is satisfactory that so far as the restoration of order is concerned, the activity of the military and police has been to so considerable a degree successful in recent months."