Barter Pact Defended by Katznelson

Late in the night session the barter agreement in effect between Palestine and Germany, by which German Jews are enabled to export their capital in the form of goods to Palestine, was defended by Berl Katznelson of the Palestine labor delegation.

Mr. Katznelson, who is editor of Davar, Hebrew daily in Palestine, emphasized that the arrangement “has enabled tens of thousands of Jews to take their property from Germany and invest their capital in the development of Palestine.”

Mr. Katznelson also discussed the proposed establishment by Palestine of a legislative council. He declared there are three views on the projected assembly: the General Zionist, which agrees to participate in the council only if there is a Jewish majority; the Agudah, which wishes an understanding to be reached first between Arabs and Jews before it will consider participation, and the laborites who will not agree to enter the council at all under the present circumstances.

The editor urged a large fund for colonization to be raised through a national loan. He also advocated that some control be instituted over Zionist funds and expressed himself in favor of a wide coalition executive.

Discussing criticism of the fact that laborers are deserting the colonies to take advantage of the higher wages offered in the cities, Katznelson said that 1,600 workers have been sent to farm jobs this year and that the Histadruth is mobilizing an additional 3,000 to be sent to the colonies.

Baruch Zuckerman, of the American laborite delegation, an earlier speaker during the debate, urged termination of the partnership arrangement between the Joint Distribution Committee and the Keren Hayesod (Palestine colonizing agency) in their joint American drive for funds.

The Rev. Goldbloom of London, representing the Group “A” General Zionists, voiced dissatisfaction over the fact that the Mizrachi persisted in boycotting the debate.