ILLITERATE HINDUS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 45, 21 February 1914, Page 11

ILLITERATE HINDUS.

MANY IN AUCKLAND. STATEMENT OF OFFICIAL. In spite of the fact that a literacy test is required by the Customs officials before Hindus are aHowed into thics country, there are a number who are unable to speak a word of English, according to 'Mr. Lindsay (Trafiic Inspector). To the 'Star" this morning Mr. Lindsay stated that frequently Hindus wouM call at his office regarding fruit licenses, and it was necessary for them to have an interpreter before they could make known .their wishes. "In some oases." said Mr. Lindsay, '"Hindus have corive to this office, and I have asked them to show mc their licenses, but they only replied by a shake of their head, showing they "did not understand. Tn my opinion, they are as bad. and sometimes worse, than China-men in their ignorance of English. How they manage to pass the Customs 1 can't 'understand. They will also show mc licenses which do not (belong to them, but are owned by other Hindus, who give them the temporary use of them." Inquiry at the Customs office. Labour Department, and shipping office this morning failed to elicit the number of Hindus resident in Auckland. "Apparently there is no record of them." said a Town Hall official to-day. "and how so many manage to get in 1 do not know." "All we are required to do." said a Customs official, "is to see that they pass the literacy test. We take no tally of the number coming in and out." There are at present 25 licensed for fruit and vegetable hawkers, and 12 for street stalls. Beyond this it is not. officially known what occupations the remaining Hindus follow. At a meeting of the City Council last night it was decided to refuse licenses to the four Hindus who were the subject of a considerable amount of discussion the previous meeting. In spite, of the recommendation of the Finance and Legal committee that the licenses be granted, the matter was referred back to the committee for re-consideration. Mr .1. Stanton (acting city solicitor) advised the Council that the present by-laws did not warrant the refusal of a license, because the applicants were of British birth. The decision to refuse licenses was agreed to without dissent.