The new South African immigration quota bill limiting the number of immigrants to be admitted annually from all countries except 12 Nordic ones in Europe, the British Commonwealth and the United States to 50 was overwhelmingly passed at its second reading, with the majority voting for it being composed of all parties.
An amendment suggested by a Labor member to refer the bill to a select committee was defeated with only eleven votes in favor of it. Minister Malan and other speakers vigorously denied that the bill discriminates against the Jews, while admitting that the Jews form the bulk of immigrants from certain of the countries restricted under the bill.
A significant feature of the debate was the almost complete absence of speeches on the government side. Even the premier was silent. No direct attack on the Jews was made; on the contrary, all speakers gave vent to expressions of friendship. The one exception was Mr. MacCullum of the South African Party, from Capetown, who directed his attack on the business morality of the Jews.
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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.
