A warning that current Arab disorders have hit industrial production so that “unless we mobilize all our strength, the whole industrial life of the country will be in great danger,” has been sounded here by the Palestine Industrial Union.
The chairman of its Jerusalem branch said at a press conference that “the position of Palestine industry is very bad.” He added that before the disturbances industry had slightly improved from the affects of the panic accompanying the outbreak of the Italo-Ethiopian war.
As a result of the disorders, he said, there was a sharp decline in production in every industry, except foodstuffs and paper. A number of factories closed down. Others have large stocks of which they cannot dispose, he said.
Many manufacturers were forced to dismiss employes and to appeal to banks for credit, he continued. Despite financial assistance, manufacturers cannot overcome the crisis and, if the present disturbances continue, many more factories will close down, he declared.
The situation would not be so desperate if a large number of articles manufactured here were not competing with important goods, the chairman said. About 80 per cent of all imported goods, which amounted to about $4,250,000 last year, could have been produced in Palestine, he declared.
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