South African Zionists Endorse Extension of the Jewish Agency

A resolution declaring their adherence to the policy of extending the Jewish Agency to include Zionists and non-Zionists was passed at the 12th annual convention of the South African Zionist Federation, just concluded at Bloemfontein. Over 150 delegates from various parts of the country were in attendance. The conference was greeted by the administrator of the Free State and by the Jewish Mayor of Bloemfontein. High Zionist sentiment was manifested in the proceedings which resulted in the reelection to the office of President of Mr. Abrahams. A fund of 70,000 pounds sterling, to be paid within three years to the Jewish National Fund, was voted for the purpose of purchasing land in Palestine in the name of South African Jews. An appeal was also made for funds to aid Zionist prisoners in Russia. Four hundred pounds were raised within a few minutes in response to the appeal.

Much comment was provoked by the appearance at the convention of Reuben Brainin, Hebrew writer of New York, who is now on a visit to this country in the interests of the Russian Colonization Fund. The South African Zionists are not in sympathy with this mission and he was not invited to attend the Zionist conference. He sat in the audience without being asked to address the convention.