Past Year Perhaps Gravest in History of Palestine Jewish Land Purchasing Fund: Drop in Receipts from

The year 1930-31 (5691) was perhaps the gravest in the history of this land purchasing fund, says a statement published here in “Karnenu”, the official organ of the Jewish National Fund. There has been a drop in receipts, it explains, from £271,511 to £222,286. The decline has affected most countries, with the exception of Palestine, the United States of America, and South Africa.

In view of the financial and political difficulties, and the attack in the White Paper on the principles of the Jewish National Fund, the statement proceeds, it was expected, however, that the receipts would show an even more serious drop. In previous years the maximum sum received was £280,000 at a time when conditions were most favourable. The receipts for the past year include many bequests and some “living legacies” (donations upon which the donor receives interest during his lifetime).

Palestine contributed during the year no less than £12,940 to the land fund, the statement says, a remarkable performance in view of the difficult days through which the Palestinian Yishuv is passing.

The United States of America come first with £64,190, Poland second with £29,668, South Africa third with £22,000, Great Britain and Ireland fourth with £11,494, Roumania seventh with £10,800 and Ezecho-Slovakia eight with £10,416

In response to an enquiry, the statement adds, it has been stated by the Agricultural Settlement Department of the Jewish Agency, that the following settlements established by the Keren Hayesod on land of the Jewish National Fund no longer receive subsidies and are able to pay their way: In Galilee Dagania A, Dagania B, and Kinereth; in the Emek Geva, Nahalal, Kfar Yecheskiel and Ginegar; in Judea Kfar Malal, Nachlath Yehuda, Ben Shemen, Ataroth, Kiriath Anavim; and in the Sharon Gan Shmuel.