A Legislative council for Palestine comprising twenty-eight members was officially announced by the High Commissioner, Sir Arthur Grenfell Wauchope, at a meeting yesterday with Arab leaders.
Stating that the Government, as a result of its satisfactory experience with local municipal governments which are operated on the council plan, had become convinced that the time was ripe for the establishment of a national assembly, Sir Arthur divulged the following details:
The council will comprise seven Jews, five Government officials, three Arab Christians, eleven Moslems and two merchants, one of whom it is believed will be a Jew.
Three of the seven Jews will be appointed, the remaining council seats alloted to the Jews to be filled by election.
Of the eleven Moslem seats in the council, three will be filled by appointment and eight by election.
The council will not have jurisdiction in political questions of any nature, the High Commissioner stated, although he failed to specify which political questions he meant.
The president of the assembly, Sir Arthur revealed, will not be elected and will not be connected with Palestine. It is believed that the office will be filled by a British Government official from London.
Following the meeting, it was learned that the Arab leaders had reserved their answer, informing the High Commissioner that they would give him their official reaction on January 7 after a conference of the Arab parties.
The full text of Sir Arthur’s speech announcing the council will be issued following tomorrow’s meeting with Zionist leaders during which he will make a similar announcement.
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