ABSTRACT
The principle of Economic Absorptive Capacity as it appeared in the Statement of 'British Policy in Palestine', subsequently became the official credo of the Immigration Department. The classification of immigrants according to their economic merits was designed to enable the Administration to deal with every category separately and to regulate immigration according to the actual economic and employment needs of the country. The renewal of immigration according to the revised policy was not followed by an immediate and adequate change in the machinery of control. The Zionist diplomatic campaign in London and Jerusalem to simplify the schedule system and enlarge their powers of control over labour immigration, was accompanied by the introduction of more adequate measures for tightening central control over the Palestine Offices. Anxious to avoid discouragement of immigration by revealing their difficulties, they emphasised the importance of obtaining large Schedules.
