Report to the ... Zionist Congress and to the Council of the Jewish Agency in ... · 1935-08-01 · 8.1935 · p. Seite 431

development was expressed on a number of occasions; the Government has, however, restated its policy in this connection as being the establishment of a Legislative Council when the municipal bodies are in full working order. The following statement is taken from the reply of the British Representative to the Mandates Commission in June, 1934, in answer to a question put by the Count de Penha Garcia (Minutes, p. 21) : " His (the High Commissioner's) policy, as communicated to the Mandates Commission in 1932, was, in the first place, to set up advisory committees, including Jewish and Arab members, who were encouraged to assist the Government with their advice in matters concerning roads, railways, harbours, agriculture and trade. He felt that the realm of economic co-operation offered the best initial prospects for the establishment of closer relations between the two races. This policy had been attended by a reasonable measure of success. " The second stage was co-operation of Arabs and Jews in municipal affairs. A Municipal Corporations Ordinance had now been enacted under which in mixed centres of population there would be Jewish and Arab councillors working together. When the new municipal arrangements were in full working order, the third stage would be reached, and steps taken towards the formation of a legislative body. The Commission would understand that, in Palestine, nothing would be gained by attempting to move too rapidly." Visit of the High Commissioner to London. 8. General Wauchope visited London on leave in the autumn of last year. In addition to receiving a deputation of the English Zionist Federation the High Commissioner granted interviews to Dr. Brodetsky and Mr. Ben-Gurion. Parliament. 9. By means of the usual Questions in the House of Commons to the Minister, useful information was at various times elicited by Members of Parliament with regard to matters of special Palestinian interest. The Questions served further to bring different aspects of the situation in Palestine to the notice of Parliament and of the public. Palestine came into special prominence in Parliament, however, in connection with the. debate last year in the House of Commons on the Palestine Loan Bill, and again in the discussion in the House of Lords on Lord Templetown's motion with regard to the Passfield White Paper. Important contributions to the debate were made on the latter occasion by Lord Reading, Lord Snell, Lord Lytton, Lord Melchett and Lord Strabolgi, and stress was laid on the remarkable developments taking place in Palestine at present, the shortage of workers, and the need for a liberal immigration policy. In connection further with the recent debate in the Commons on the Colonial Office vote, special interest attached to the speeches dealing.. with matters of Palestinian concern, which were made by Mr. James de Rothschild, Colonel Wedgwood, and Mr. Barnett janner. 10. With regard to the Loan Bill the Executive took up the stand that it was gravely to be doubted whether the policy of floating a loan, even though at a favourable rate of interest, was 431