'File 11/32 Royal Commission on Palestine' [‎14v] (28/308)

the project of 3 . British Bniversity in the Necir Enst the possibility
should be carefully considered of locating it in the neighbourhood
of Jerusalem or Haifa.
Chapter XVII.- Local Government
The present system of rural self-government (through local
Councils) falls short (1) in a lack of flexibility, (2) in undue centrali
zation. An attempt should be made to strengthen those few loc^
councils which still exist in the Arab rural areas, but the Commission
do not favour an attempt at present to revivify councils which
have broken down or to create new ones unless there is a genujp^ ^
demand for them. There can be little really effective extension^ -
village self-government until the provision of primary education has
had more time to take effect.
The deficiencies of the present system of municipal government
are (1) a lack of initiative on the part of the more backward munici
palities, and (2) the limitations set to initiative on the part of the
more progressive municipalities by an Ordinance which subjects them
all to the same measure of Government control and centralized
administration. The limitation of power and responsibility largely
accounts for the lack of interest shown by the townspeople in most
municipal councils.
Tel Aviv has unique problems of its own caused by its phenomenal
growth during the last five years. The objectives which the people
of Tel Aviv have set before them in the way of social services are
in themselves admirable, and the ratepayers have shown a com
mendable readiness to bear high rates for their realization. Ihe
town has been faced with, and to a considerable extent surmounted,
exceptional difficulties without seriously impairing its financial
position.
The more important local councils and all the municipalises
should be reclassified by means of a new Ordinance into grouj^
according to their respective size and importance. The degree ot
power and independence could then be varied to suit each class.
For the first class of municipality the powers provided under the
existing Ordinance are inadequate and should be extended.
The services of an expert authority on local government should
be obtained to assist in drafting the new Ordinance and in improving
and co-ordinating the relations between Government and the
municipalities, particularly in the larger towns, with special reference
to the need of removing the causes of the present delay in approving
municipal budgets.
The need of Tel Aviv for a substantial loan should be promptly
and sympathetically reconsidered.
The normal constitutional relationship between the central and
local authorities is impossible in Palestine.