British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume II - Page 698

CHAPTER XVI.

areas, a more substantial migration from country to town than is implied in the alteration of the ratio shown above is indicated. A comparison between the rates of growth of the individual town populations show a marked degree of selectivity in this migration. The towns showing the most rapid increase are either those in process of rapid development or those situated close to areas of rapid development. On the debit side, those centres provided convenient foci for the absorption of the Arabs in the areas most subject to land pressure as Jewish development expanded, while the element of selectivity indicates that this pressure was not general. On the credit side, they provided the means of improving conditions of living as opportunities for employment expanded.

158. Broadly, the economy of the rural section of the Arab community is homogeneous and based on about a. thousand village communities and peasant agriculture. The economy of the urban section is heterogeneous, comprising western and levantine elements as well as elements derived from the rural conditions of life. It would not go too far to state that the improvement in the standard of living extends to all elements of both sections.

Before proceeding to closer analysis of the conditions of the Arab community, it will be convenient to deal with those measures of development which have affected both, in common with the rest of the population.

(a) COMMUNICATIONS.

159. In his report on the administration of Palestine, 1920-25, (Colonial No. 15 of In25) the first High Commissioner, Lord Samuel, in dealing with the road system inherited from the Turks and its subsequent improvement, intimated :

*. The opening of the country by means of roads has encouraged the adoption of a higher standard of agriculture and a greater activity of trade; it has facilitated police control of the more remote and lawless areas and it has greatly promoted the development of the tourist truffle". *

The system of which Lord Samuel wrote consisted in 1925 of 600 kms. of all-weather and 1350 kms. of seasonal roads. In 1935, it consisted of 1179 kms. of all weather and 17 51 kms. of seasonal roads. The network now (1945) consists of 2660 kms. of all weather and 1565 kms. of seasonal roads. It intersects most thoroughly the area in which the greater part of Arab villages lies. It provides convenient links between the towns. It facilitates access by wheeled transport to the villages and, conversely, access by them to urban markets. In the report cited above, Lord Samuel stated with reference to the number of motor vehicles then (1925) in Palestine :

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