Report to the ... Zionist Congress and to the Council of the Jewish Agency in ... · 1935-08-01 · 8.1935 · p. Seite 379

materials. In the suburb of Kiryath Mosheh a cigarette factoryhas been established, and in the suburb of Givath Saul there are some other factories. However, industrial development in Jerusalem is being impeded owing to a shortage of water and the high cost of electricity. The Palestine Electric Corporation, in fixing the cost of electricity, has always taken into account the needs of industry, and from July 1st this year it reduced the cost of electricity by 15 per cent., and the cost of low tension current for industrial enterprises is 14 mils per kilowatt-hour up to the first 250 kilowatt-hours per month and 4.5 mils for further current. On the other hand, the prices fixed by the Jerusalem Electric Co. are 23 mils per kilowatt-hour up to the first 400 kilowatt-hours per month, 17 mils per kilowatt-hour for 400-1000 kilowatt-hours, and 8 mils per kilowatt-hour for above 30,000 kilowatt-hours. Negotiations are being conducted with the Jerusalem Electricity Co. with a view to the reduction of the cost of electricity. It is hoped that with a reduction of the cost of electricity and with the improvements in the water supply the prospects for industrial development in Jerusalem will improve. The Department recently devoted considerable attention to the question of the employment of Jewish labour in industry. For many years this question was non-existent, and, with the exception, of a few isolated cases, Jewish industries employed exclusively Jewish labour. However, with the rapid industrial development in recent years, attempts are being made, especially in some urban suburbs, to violate this principle, and it was therefore necessary to take measures, whether by direct negotiations with the factory owners or through the intervention of the Federation of Manufacturers, or in conjunction with the Jewish Labour Federation, to> prevent further inroads of non-Jewish labour. In most cases the Department succeeded in its efforts. The Department has also devoted considerable attention recently to the sale of Palestine products in the local market. The importance of using local products had been rather overlooked, and not all sections of the Jewish population have yet come to realise this. It is obvious that preference for home products could become an important factor in the further development of industry and would affect beneficially the present adverse commercial balance of Palestine. Thanks to the initiative of the Department vocational sections have been established by the Federation of Manufacturers which deal with the protection of Palestine products, and last year a pro-Palestine Products Committee was established which includes all sections of the Yishub. The Jewish Agency contributes towards the budget of this committee. In order to sell Palestine products on the ships visiting the Palestine ports, the Department is conducting negotiations with the maritime companies with regard to the use on their ships of Palstine wines, biscuits, cigarettes, and other commodities. 379