NATAL STRIKE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 276, 19 November 1913, Page 5

NATAL STRIKE.

COMPLAINT OF THE INDIANS. STARVATION AND THE LASH. IMPERIAL AID SOUGHT. (By Cab'e.-Press AssoclaHoa.-Copynsht.l LONDON, November IS. The Natal Indian Association has cabled to Lord Ampthill (ex-Governor of Madras) that Indians are being sentenced to hard labour for absence °at the roll call, and that two magistrates have warned Indians that if they refuse to work they will be starved," mercilessly flogged, and driven underground with the lash. . The Cape "Times" and Xatal "Mercury" have throughout supported the demand for the repeal of the £3 poll tax.' The men who have been sentenced have been drawn mostly from the 2000, arrested at Balfour. They will work out their sentences in. compounds in their own mines, as the gaol accommodation is Insufficient. Flogging is not allowed, and no arrests are allowed unless acts of violence are committed. Xo shooting has been authorised unless it is absolutely necessary for maintaining order. At a meeting of 4..000 Indians yesterday it was decided to cable the Indian Imperial Government, pointing out that there was no organisation to feed them, and if the Government did not intervene many lives would be losft. HELP FROM INDIA. (Times-Sydney Sun Special Cable.) CALCUTTA, November 18. Mr. Gokhale has received a telegram from Natal stating that, in order to suppress the strike the Government has directed nine compounds to he treated as gaols. Men refusing to work are threatened with starvation. The Indian papers, accepting this statement ,i.s true, are opening subscription lists in aid of the passive resistors.