"ملف ٣٢/١١ اللجنة الملكية المعنية بفلسطين" [ظ‎‎١‎١‎٢] (٣٠٨/٢٢٤)

12
must be restricted if Arab cultivators are to maintain their
existing standard of life and a considerable landless Arab popu
lation is not soon to be created. In these circumstances, the
High Commissioner will be giv^n general powers to prohibit
and regulate transfers land.-. ’These .powers will date from the
publication of this statement of policjf and the High Commis
sioner will retain them throughout, the^ transitional period.
17 . The policy of the Government will be directed towards
the development of the land and the improvement, where
possible, of methods of cultivation. In the light of such develop
ment it will be open to the High Commissioner, should he be
satisfied thalj the ‘ ‘ rights and position ' ’ of the Arab population
will be duly preserved, to review and modify any orders passed
relating to the prohibition or restriction of the transfer of land.
18 . In framing these proposals His Majesty's Governme
have sincerely endeavoured to act in strict accordance with their
obligations under the Mandate to both the Arabs and the Jews.
The vagueness of the phrases employed in some instances to
describe these obligations has led to controversy and has
made the task of interpretation difficult. His Majesty's
Government cannot hope to satisfy the partisans of one party
or the other in such controversy as the Mandate has aroused.
Their purpose is to be just as between the two peoples in
Palestine whose destinies in that country have been affected
by the great events of recent years, and who, since they live side
by side, must learn to practise mutual tolerance, goodwill and
co-operation. In looking to the future, His Majesty's Govern
ment are not blind to the fact that some events of the past make
the task of creating these relations difficult; but they are
encouraged by the knowledge that at many times and in many^
places in Palestine during recent years the Arab and Jewish
inhabitants have lived in friendship together. Each community
has much to contribute to the welfare of their common land, and
each must earnestly desire peace in which to assist in increasing
the well-being of the whole people of the country. The respo.
sibility which falls on them, no less than upon His Majesty's
Government, to co-operate together to ensure peace is all the
more solemn because their country is revered by many millions
of Moslems, Jews and Christians throughout the world who pray
for peace in Palestine and for the happiness of her people.
( 16379 —n) (Wt. 3635 — 4 * 58 ) 6000 5/39 P. St. G. 335