DISTINGUISHED INDIAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 172, 22 July 1922, Page 5

DISTINGUISHED INDIAN.

KB. SASTRI IN AUCKLAND. CIVIC W_VCa__ TO-NIGHT. ! The Kght Hon. V. S. Sastri, P.C, who has come to visit the overseas dominions in order to endeavour to persuade them ]to grant full rights of citizenship when they are lawfully domiciled in such dominions, was welcomed at the railway station last evening by a number of his 1 fellow Indians living in Auckland. After--1 -wards he was called upon by the Mayor I (Mr. J. H. Gunson) and welcomed to ! Auckland. Mr. Sastri was accompanied ,by MY. J. H.slop, Under-Secretary of InI ternal Affairs, who is representing the Government during Mr. Sastri's tour. This morning tbe Mayor took Mr. Sastri for a trip round the suburbs, the outing including a run across the water, and this afternoon our guest will be present at the football match between the Maori team and one representing Auckland. A public reception will be accorded him this evening in the Town Hall. Tomorrow night he will speak in the Town Hall on 'India To-day," and will remain in Auckland until Tuesday, when he leaves by the Vancouver mail steamer. As Indians domiciled in New Zealand have all citizen rights except being aYe to qualify for the Old Age Pension, Mr. •Sastri explains that his task in the Dominion is comparatively easy. He is anxious, however, to explain India's aims and aspirations, and therefore welcomes the opportunity of speaking in New Zealand. In appearance Mr. Sastri is a typical Indian in many ways. He is one of the most prominent members of the Indian Council of State, and stands at the head of that section of Indian opinion, "the best opinion of India, which is determined to remain -within the British Commonwealth." His methods are the antitheses of those of the remarkable but misguided Gandhi and the other extremists. Mr. Sastri is one of the most prominent members of the Indian Council of ■State, and has repre?ented In ilia officially at the Imperial Conference in •London, the Lea-rue of Nations, and lastly, the Peace Conference at Washington. He is equally eloquent whether speaking in his native language or in English. Mr. Sastri is a high caste Brahmin and one of his inflexible principles is to eat no flesh of any description, whether meat. fish, or bird, while another is to drink no wine or any other kind of alcohol ie beverase. One Entrli.h woman who acted as hostess t.o the distintruished Indian remarks that it is necessury to prepare special meals for him. Fct instance she advises, •_ p lire vegetable soup (trade with vegetable s*ock and butter, with milk or cream) ; vegetable dishes, in the cookin? of of course, no dripping, hut only butter, must be used, or some -_ djgh, or dish with cheese—alwa-- .. oiding a ny fat except butter or dream. As. for drinks, he will only take pure writer, mineral ivater. or fruit drinks. Fmit salads and puddings are naturally allowable. This does not mean that any other person present will be restricted to Rnbminioa] fare, but merely that it must be provided."