The proposed settlement of Jewish refugees from European countries on a 7,000,000-acre tract in Kimberley, Australia, which had been endorsed by the West Australian Government but consideration of which was suspended in 1940 as a result of the war, received new impetus today when the Australian press published an appeal signed by fifteen prominent Australians supporting the settlement scheme.
Dr. Isaac N. Steinberg, representative of the Freeland League for Jewish Territorial Colonization, who is responsible for proposing the project, is now making on effort to secure its adoption by the Commonwealth Government, emphasizing its importance as a means of strengthening Australia’s defenses and in meeting the increased food requirements in connection with the war effort. While Kimberley is of little interest to Australians, its soil is fertile, the climate not too hot for Europeans and rainfall adequate, Mr. Steinberg pointed out today. The project provides that younger Jews, selected by the League, would arrive first to build houses, roads and prepare the land for cultivation under Australian administrators.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.