Palestine, like South Africa needs immigration for economic development, declared Jan Hofmyer, administrator of Transvaal, who was responsible for the issuance of the South African Pro-Zionist declaration, at a reception tendered him by Palestine Jews, former residents of South Africa.
Mr. Hofmyer, who is visiting Palestine on his way to London, was welcomed to the country by Mr. Gesundheit, speaking for the South African Jews. Mr. Gesundheit urged the Transvaal administrator to continue his efforts in behalf of the Jewish National Home.
In his address Mr. Hofmyer declared that the Jews play an important part in South African life. He has always been interested in Zionism, but what he has seen on his present trip has strengthened his sympathies. Tel Aviv, he described as a wonderful phenomenon, its rapid growth is unequalled and even exceeds the rate of growth of Johannesburg.
Mr. Hofmyer said he was particularly struck by the cultural achievements in Palestine, especially the revival of the Hebrew language which he, a student of languages, had believed impossible. On his visit to the Hebrew University he found its progress to be remarkable.
Upon his return to South Africa, Mr. Hofmyer said he would tell the Jewish residents there that if they cannot come to Palestine themselves, they should support it by investments. The Transvaal administrator was welcomed by members of the Zionist Executive.
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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.
