(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
The view of the British Government with regard to the present situation in Palestine and its plans for the near future, so that the growth of agriculture and industry may be furthered, were presented to the Permanent Mandates Commission of the League of Nations at its session held here Friday.
Col. George S. Symes, former Civil Secretary of the Palestine Government, submitted the report on behalf of the British Government. Col. Symes explained the principles of self-government which the British Government is applying in the countries under its mandate. Notwithstanding the difficulty of applying these principles in Palestine, considerable progress has been made in the direction of developing a citizenship spirit. The government has prepared a series of reforms which are necessary for the public welfare. Before these reforms were introduced, a careful examination was made. The difficulties which the administration of Palestine encounters consist mainly in the necessity of the acceptance of a large immigration by a small, poor country, he stated.
The maintenance of a modern administrative system and the protection of order involves a considerable expense. It seems that it will be necessary to supplement the revenues already obtainable by revenues from direct taxation. The system of high customs duties tended to maintain a high cost of living. It is, however, desirable to reduce this high cost for the benefit of the producers in agriculture and industry. It is essential to put agriculture on a more flourishing basis. It is contemplated by the government to introduce such reforms as will provide a firmer foundation for agriculture and industry.
Replying to questions by members of the Mandates Commission concerning the present relations between the Arabs and Jews in Palestine, Col. Symes stated that these relations have improved and that immigration to the country is now being regulated in accordance with its economic capacity for absorption. The land survey is now being prepared, he added.
Reporting on the administration of Transjordania, Col. Symes stated that the recent agreement between the British government and Emir Abdullah, ruler of Transjordania, is completely in accord with the provisions of the Palestine Mandate. He reminded the commission that by a decision of the Council of the League of Nations in 1922, the provisions of the Palestine Mandate concerning the establishment in Palestine of the Jewish National Home are not applicable to the territory of Transjordania.
TO STUDY JEWISH WOMEN’S LIFE IN RUSSIAN COLONIES
Miss Betty Ross will visit the Jewish colonies of the Ukraine and Crimea to describe the life of the Jewish women in the new settlements, according to an announcement by David A. Brown, national chairman of the United Jewish Campaign. Miss Ross sailed on Thursday on the steamer American Shipper and will proceed to Russia.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
