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So. African Government Bill Aims to Curb Influx of Jews

January 13, 1937
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New, immigration restrictions, admittedly aimed to cut the influx of Jews, loomed today following introduction of two bills, one by the anti-Semitic Nationalist Party and the other by the Government.

Even the Government measure, it was admitted for the first time last night during a discussion in Parliament on the immigration question, is intended to keep Jews out of the country, although it restricts immigration of all nations except British-born.

The Government bill, it became clear during the debate, was introduced to calm the current anti-Semitic wave and to outmaneuver the Nationalists who have submitted a measure specifically discriminating against Jews.

Dr. D. Malan, leader of the Nationalist Party, who opened the discussion last night, is the author of the Nationalist immigration bill, which demands that Yiddish be deprived of its rank as a European language that can be offered by immigrants for literacy tests before landing. The bill also proposes that aliens already in South Africa be put on probation for three years; be compelled to reveal their original names, and not be permitted to engage in any occupation, trade or work without a special license.

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