The second Australian Zionist Conference concluded here with the election of Sir John Monash as honorary president and Rabbi I. Brodie, president, for the ensuing year. The vice-presidents include M. Symonds, J. Rosenfeld, A. Blashki, L. Morris and L. Ellinson.
It was decided that in addition to the educational and propaganda work of the Federation, special attention should be given to the distribution of Jewish National Fund Boxes. Special subcommittees were elected to carry out the J.N.F. activities. It was decided to vote a budget for £4,000 as Australia’s contribution to the Jewish National Fund for the forthcoming year, this amount to be exclusive of the amounts still outstanding against the promises to Dr. Goldstein which it was proposed to collect immediately. This amount was to be distributed among the States as follows: New South Wales £1,200, Victoria £1,200 and the remainder among the other states.
The headquarters of the Australian Zionist Federation will be transferred to Sydney from Melbourne for the ensuring twelve months.
The resolution expressing approval of the Jewish Agency proposals was carried despite some opposition displayed by speakers who protested against a “compromise.” Papers on the Agency, as well as upon the problem of Zionism and religious Judaism were delivered at the Conference by various speakers. Strong criticism was voiced in some quarters at the secretarial expenses of the Federation which is at least £1,000 yearly.
Rabbi I. Brodie, President of the Australian Zionist Federation, in his opening address, declared: “The Jewish Agency proposals give to Jews, no matter what their political opinions, the opportunity of rebuilding not only the Jewish body but the Jewish soul. The duty of Palestine reconstruction does not belong solely to a handful of Zionists. Things are different now from what they were in days gone by-I am sure that there is a desire on the part of all Jews irrespective of whether or not they are officially Zionists, to play their part in the reconstruction of the land for which we have grieved for centuries.”
Present at the opening ceremony were representatives of the State and Federal Governments.
Dr. A. Arthur, representing the Government of New South Wales, welcomed the delegates. In the course of his speech he revealed the interesting fact that when he was in London twenty years ago he had urged that “people of my race and your race who are not prepared to go to Palestine should come to Australia. When I was in London I met the Jewish Board of Guardians and arranged with them to send out to Australia a number of (Continued on Page 4)
Rabbi F. L. Cohen welcomed the delegates on behalf of the community of Sydliney.
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