Optimism for the immediate future of Palestinian upbuilding and praise for the co-operation of the Jewish labor organizations in Palestine in restoring settled conditions were the principal comments made by Harry Sacher, member of the Palestine Zionist Executive, on his arrival here last week for the purpose of conducting preliminary negotiations for the formation of the Jewish Agency.
Discounting talk of disagreements between so-called capital and labor in Palestine, Mr. Sacher emphasized the important part played by the labor Organizations in rescuing the Jewish National Homeland from the crisis which had gripped it for two years.
The Palestine Zionist Executive could not have stopped the unemployment without the cooperation of labor. The labor organizations really have authority over their people, and their genuine interest in the progress of the country was shown in their strenuous efforts to solve the unemployment problem, Mr. Sacher said.
Increasing co-operation on the part of the Mandatory Power and a larger interest in economic investments in Palestine by private investors are the causes for the revival of industry in the Homeland together with the efforts of the Zionist organization, according to Mr. Sacher.
“Great Britain has definitely increased its cooperation, in two very important ways. In regard to relief measures, it has been very active. Under Lord Plumer’s regime, public projects were inaugurated which provided employment for many Jewish workers.
“One of the causes of the improvement in the Palestinian situation is the development of industries. Toward this end, tariffs have been adjusted. A really healthy industry is now on its way.
Special praise for those men who are now investing in Palestine after considering the needs and resources of Palestine was given by Mr. Sacher, mentioning two in particular, Mr. Asher Pierce of Montreal, Canada, and Lord Melchett, of England.
“Mr. Pierce represents just that type of person needed in Jerusalem, where, allied with Lord Melchett, he is putting in substantial sums of money, which will not only provide labor with work, but will prove a sound investment. The business reputation of both these men is ample security for this statement.”
The number of Jews on the land is increasing, declares Mr. Sacher, asserting that they are absorbed from the unemployed, whose number is practically depleted. Mr. Sacher also predicted that within a very short time, there would be a shortage of 750 workers, which is a significant figure for Palestine, and which definitely indicates Palestine’s recovery.
“Much of the criticism lodged against the British Government is not well informed,” Mr. Sacher declared. “It is dangerous to criticize the Government on the premise of wrong principles. It is impracticable to say to the British taxpayer, who is now groaning under the burden of taxes, that the Jews, considered among the richest people in the world, cannot build their own Homeland, and that therefore the British taxpayers should help pay.”
The theory that 100 per cent of the immigrants admitted to Palestine should be successful, was characterized as rubbish by Mr. Sacher, who said that the authorities “should admit anybody who has a reasonable chance to win.”
Mr. Sacher expressed optimism with regard to the formation of the Jewish Agency, declaring that the Survey Commissioners considered the reconstruction of Palestine “something worth doing” and that they were making every effort to do it.
Asked what were the prospects for additional immigration within the near future, Mr. Sacher stated that the Palestine Zionist Executive had made a request of the Palestine Government for 1,000 certificates for Chalutzim to be distributed over a period of the next six months.
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.
