Unemployed are Gradually being Absorbed, Palestine Government Reports (By Our Jerusalem Correspondent)
There was no improvement in the trade position in Palestine, states the Palestine administration report for the quarter ended Sept. 30, which was issued here today. The financial depression, it proceeds, is felt acutely and imports of foreign goods are decreasing. The export market, however, is improving. The cereal export season started early in July and the quantity available for export is reported to be above the average. Restrictions on the import of cereals from Syria cause part of the transit trade to be deviated from Haifa to Beirut.
Labor conditions at Jerusalem and Haifa, the report continues, have improved appreciably, but at Tel Aviv unemployment is still considerable. The dole distributed by the Palestine Zionist Executive to Jewish unemployed has been discontinued at Jerusalem and Haifa and work in various building and drainage works substituted. £E.1,000 is distributed weekly in doles at Tel Aviv. Many of the unemployed were absorbed in building works necessitated by the earthquake.
In agriculture, the report continues, the favorable conditions under which the season for summer crops commenced have been maintained. Despite periods of abnormally high temperatures, east winds, which frequently counteract the influence of beneficial late rains have been conspicuously absent. The incidence of plant diseases and insect pests has been lower than usual. Damage by field mice was negligible. There has been a marked improvement in farming practice.
The cultivation of maize has increased. The yield and quality are good. The yields of durra are good throughout and in some cases are the highest recorded for several years. The yields of sesame are good throughout and in the northern areas are the best realized for thirty years. The production of tobacco has decreased, particularly in the south where soil and climate have proved unsuitable Northwards, yields are high and the quality is improved.
Supplies of grapes are abundant. Cultivation has increased and yields are heavy. The best crop of melons ever known has been harvested. Heavy yields of olives are expected except in the Acre district where some damage has been caused by the olive fly. Good yields of bananas are expected. A reduction in yield is expected in citrus fruits owing to damage from inclement weather, but the development of the fruit is satisfactory.
Special attention has been paid to the possibilities of promoting an export trade in grapes in view of the increased production of table varieties. Though the preliminary advices from the Empire Marketing Board in regard to the sale of the fruit on the British market indicate somewhat disappointing results, due to the apparent over-maturity of the fruit and the consequent high percentage of drop, the range of prices offered for sound fruit is encouraging.
Connections have been established with the Empire Marketing Board in regard to the development of the production, and the marketing in the United Kingdom of Palestinian fruits and in particular in regard to the questions of an horticultural service, a Citrus Research Station, and compulsory fruit inspection.
An investigation designed to lower the cost of calf rearing, organized under the joint auspices of the Empire Marketing Board and the Zionist Organization, is now being duplicated at the Acre Station.
Goods, excluding specie and bullion, to the value of £E.1,337,564 were imported, as compared with £E.531,894 during the corresponding quarter of 1926. The decrease is mainly in respect of cereals, building materials and cotton goods. Goods, excluding specie and bullion, to the value of £E.317,205 were exported, as compared with £E.221,358 during the corresponding quarter of 1926. The increase is mainly in respect of cereals.
As compared with the preceding quarter, imports decreased by £E.104,772, and exports by £E.28,998.
Imports and exports in transit to and from Syria were for the quarter ending 30th September, 1927; £E21,252. for the quarter ending 30th June. 1927: £E.32,320. and for the quarter ending 30th September 1926: £E25,801.
The value of specie and bullion imported during the quarter was £E.247,539. as compared with £E.3,455 during the corresponding quarter of 1925. The value of specie and bullion exported was £E.107, as compared with £E.3,495 during the corresponding quarter of 1926. There was an increase of £E.246,233 in imports over, and a decrease of £E.314 in exports under the preceding quarter.
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