Report to the ... Zionist Congress and to the Council of the Jewish Agency in ... · 1935-08-01 · 8.1935 · p. Seite 478

the representative of the office at Kantara dealt with 650 tourists en route for Palestine. The growth of the tourist traffic and the problems of its guidance and accommodation have rendered imperative the extension of work of the Information Bureau, and called for greater co-ordination between its activities and those of other agencies. A consultation has recently been convened of the various organisations and institutions interested in the promotion of the tourist traffic in Palestine, and plans have been prepared which, however, can materialize only when larger financial resources are available for the purpose. 2. The Political Department had to respond to frequent calls made on its direct advice and assistance by prominent visitors from all parts of the world. Such visitors included royal personages, representatives of the Mandatory and foreign governments, members of Parliament, religious pilgrims, authors, men of science, artists, financiers, journalists, etc. Attendance on such visitors and the arrangement of their visits to places of Jewish interest occupied a great deal of the time of the Department's staff. ( h ).—Conclusion. In addition to the main activities which have been described in the foregoing chapters, the Political Department dealt with a wide range of matters which arose in the daily routine. It directed the information and publicity work of the Executive. It maintained contact with the local Jewish press and gave information and assistance to foreign journalists. It maintained friendly relation with the consular representatives of the foreign powers and the heads of the several churches. It was responsible for the arrangement of a large number of tours and visits in areas of Jewish settlement by His Excellency the High Commissioner and high Government officials. It acted as intermediary between Jewish interests and the Government in a great variety of subjects. It advised the Government on the appointment of Jewish members to various boards and committees. It was the address to which Jews generally turned for guidance and advice on matters of a political character and to which non-Jews applied for assistance in their contacts with the Jewish community and Jewish affairs. 478