PILLARS OF EMPIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 6, 7 January 1908, Page 5

PILLARS OF EMPIRE.

"WHAT INDIA ttas DONE. COOLXES IN THE TRANSVAAL. OTTAWA, January 6. Viscount Midleton, who is visiting Canada, reminded Canadians in a speech at Ottawa that India was the main prop of the Empire. "Instead of India pulling upon us," he said, "we are always pulling upon India. It was Indian troops who had saved Natal, who helped to relieve the British Legation at Pekin. and who had averted a disaster at Suakim." Those realising that nearly one-third of the world's population had been attached to the British Empire would, he thought, deal generously with statesmen in their difficulties about the Indian races. PRETORIA, January G. Tn the course of a speech at Pretoria, Mr J. C. Smuts (Attorney-General for the Transvaal), declared that the Government di> not expect that the Registration Act would cause so much trouble. There were thousands of false permits in existence, and one good effect of the new Act had been to frighten out of the Transvaal 5000 Indians who had no right there. Of the 0500 who remained, he continned, 5000 were licensed to trade; thousands were willing to register if they, had not been intimidated, and they might be allowed another dm nee of registering, but no mercy would be shown to the leaders of the agitation. The law would be carried out. The Local Government Board has compelled the Poplar Board of Guardians to send all able-bodied recipients of outdoor relief to a farm colony, where a medified labour test will be applied.