TRANSVAAL INDIANS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 228, 19 June 1908, Page 7

TRANSVAAL INDIANS.

FEfiISTBATION. VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE WITH LAW. V FURTHER AMENDMENT. Ot TELEGRAPH —FKKS3 ASSOCIATION—COrVBI3HT. Pratorla, Juno 17. Altogether 9072 persons, practically the whole of tho Asiatic community in the Transvaal, have registered voluntarily under tho compromise effected with tho Government. Nevertheless; tho latter, yielding to tho Imperial on behalf of its Indian subjects, is willing to legislate for amendment of tho Registration Act. THE COMPROMiSE. The "finger-print" ordinance and the accompanying inquisition, much hatod by the Indians; were compromised on,tho basis that in the case of educated, propertied, or well-known Asiatics, signatures only should be taken; in other cases, finger-prints. It was also agreed that no question against which Asiatics nave religious objections be pressed. Three additional months were allowed within which the Asiatics in the Transvaal were to register themselves on the amended terms. 100 above cablegram indicates that they have kept their part of the agreement. The Asiatics who were liberated from gaol when the compromise was arrived at in February are reported to have behaved with dignity, making no attempt to make political capital out of. tlieir release. In a speech on the settlement, General Botha, Promier of the Transvaal, said it was necessary to consider the question fr"" 1 J 1 ' 1 „ !\P standpoint. Mr. Gandhi, the Reader of the Indiahs in the Transvaal, said that the settlemerit was not a viotory for them; but a fair compromise. The Transvaal Colonial Secretary (Mr. Smuts) had retained his honour and selfesteem. Tho scriiplos of tho Indians and their objections had, added Mr. Gandh., received eyery consideration. . ■ '