Premier David Ben Gurion today called on immigrants to Israel to turn to agriculture either as settlers or as agricultural laborers, as their share in the upbuilding of the Jewish state. He issued the call at a convention of representatives of agricultural settlements throughout Israel who met to consider their role in the national economic battle.
The Premier singled out Israel’s coastal and border areas as places for the establishment of new settlements by the immigrants. He also called for a new “great national swing to the land,” asserting that Israeli agriculture must be “extensive in area and intensive in character.”
He demanded a step-up in agricultural production as a means of fighting the high cost of living. Such an increase could come about, he said, by using modern scientific methods and exploiting the large areas available to Israel.Finally, he told the delegates of the projected construction of camps near settlements for living quarters for the immigrant laborers who decide to work in the settlements.
Minister of Rationing and Supply Dov Joseph told the parley that the government’s austerity plan will not harm agriculture, but will strengthen it. He asked for the cooperation of the agricultural settlers in the implementation of the austerity program.
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