An investigation of the territory and climatic conditions in the northern part of Australia as a potential haven for Jewish exiles was undertaken by Melach Ravitch, Bundist Jewish writer of Poland, who told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency today that the scheme for such a settlement warrants further investigation by a commission of experts.
In spite of the fact that the isolation of the Northern territory, and its tropical climate, would constitute in a measure serious drawbacks to many persons wishing to settle, Mr. Ravitch said there are redeeming features.
Before further plans could be made in this direction, he pointed out, immediate measures would have to be taken to prevent Jewish emigrants from leaving the northern coast and retreating to the south. A settlement comprising 5,000 families would be essential, he insisted, and could be established as a cost of about two million pounds.
This would be possible, he said, provided the Australian government could be convinced of the feasibility of the plan and would agree to cooperate.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
