ABSTRACT
There has been much disquiet lately in the Zionist camp because the funds available for the purchase of national land are sorely inadequate. The champions of nationalized land demand that as much land as possible be acquired as soon as possible—economic and political considerations inclining them to fear that soon no new land will be available. The rate of interest would offer no great obstacles. Though the Fund would naturally be interested not to increase unduly the cost of the land bought with the proceeds of the loan, it might be worth while under certain conditions to pay a rather high rate of interest. The question of guarantees is much more difficult. Therein lies the worst hindrance. Agricultural conditions are such in Palestine that rural land will only very gradually come to yield an income. Agricultural colonization in Palestine, the inexperience of the new settlers, climatic and especially financial difficulties, oppressive taxes, and much else.
