Sidney Moody, Assistant Chief Secretary of the Palestine government, told the Mandates Commission of the League of Nations today that his government is definitely considering the establishment of a Legislative Council.
“As soon as the experience with the municipal autonomy now proclaimed in Palestine becomes more complete, the question of the establishment of a Legislative Council will be taken up by the government,” Mr. Moody stated, replying to questions put to him by members of the Commission.
Mr. Moody emphasized that the Arabs all favor the establishment of a Council in Palestine but the Jews oppose it.
REFERS TO ZIONIST RIFT
In the course of his answers, Mr. Moody referred to the fight between the Zionists and the Revisionists as a “serious internal Jewish division.” He spoke also on the Arab-Jewish relations in Palestine and stated thot these relations are improving despite the tension existing between the Jews and Arabs on political grounds.
“The Palestine government,” Mr. Moody said, “is doing everything possible to improve the lot of the Arab and Jewish farmers. A good harvest is expected this year,” he said.
The discussion on the Palestine Mandate will be continued at tomorrow morning’s session. Mr. Moody is being assisted by Mr. Downie, an official of the British Colonial Office.
Representing the Palestine government, Mr. Moody reported at today’s session that the financial position of Palestine continues to be sound. The income from customs and revenues is sufficient to enable the government to extend its services in the country and to meet the demands of the increasing population.
“In certain respects it has been possible to reduce the taxation,” Mr. Moody stated in his report.
Mr. Moody also emphasized that industry in Palestine is developing and that the ports of Jaffa and Haifa have been enlarged.
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