INDIANS IN NEW ZEALAND

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 109, 9 May 1923, Page 9

INDIANS IN NEW ZEALAND

MR. SASTRI'S OFFICIAL REPORT

A FAVOURABLE IMPRESSION.

(FROM OUB OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

LONDON, 28th March.

The report of the Government of India by the" Right Hon. V. S. Srinivasa Sastri on his mission to Australia, New Zealand, and Canada has reached this country. So far as' New Zealand is concerned, he found that his compatriots suffered under two difficulties, and those are apparently not very serious—exclusion from the benefits of the Old Age Pensions Act and the difficulties of securing employment. In view of the fact that there are probably no Indians who fulfil tho conditions regarding age required by the Old Age Pensions Act, and it is unlikely that they will be eligible for some years to come, no great hardship, saya Mr. Sastri, should result from the matter being allowed' to stand over for the present—a course which was suggested by the Cabinet. " When the time comes," the report proceeds, " I have no doubt that the claims of Indians will receive a sympathetic consideration. In this belief I am strengthened by the assurance given me by the Minister of Public Works that any Indians who could not find employment e/lsewhere would be provided with work by the Government in order to enable them to earn a livelihood. In this connection it seems desirable to record an episode which reflects great credit on the Government of New Zealand. Some time ago a band of Indian labourers was employed on road construction, when white labourers refused to work with them. In this intransigent attitude they received tha support of their union. The authorities declined to dismiss the Indians, and their firm stand led to a collapse'of the white strike. This instance is significant of the firmness and impartiality with which the Dominion of New Zealand administer its laws. I was also at once pains to inquire into the causes which prevented Indans from securing employment. It will be idle to deny that in some cases colour prejudice is responsible for the result, but the prejudice is confined to a few, and' so are the instances of unemployment among Indians. They do not enjoy the same degree of prosperity as their compatrriots in Australia; but the explanation of this i? to be sought, not in any aggravated manifestation' of prejudice, as in a variety of causes wholly unconnected with racial animosity. The majority of Indians have not been long in the country, and have yet to find their, feet. Casual labour at a time when there is a general economic depression is a precarious source,of livelihood. .The revival of prosperity should improve their prospects. Such of them as have farms of their own are quite well to do."

Mr. Sa6tri also goes into the questions of temporary permits for Indians for visits for the purpose of pleasure, education, or commerce, and the issu6 of passports, both' of which he settled with the Government to his satisfaction.

NEED FOR A CONSULAR OFFICER.

"I should like to dwell on one feature of the situation which affects Indians both in Australia and New Zealand," says Mr. Sastri in conclusion, "and which, to my mind, calls for immediate improvement. It is the absence of a coordinating and protecting agency which could help the Indian community to realise its existence as a corporate entity, and assist individual members of the community in combating difficulties which arise from day to day. Neither in Australia nor in New Zealand do Indians possess sufficient education to take care of themselves. They are scattered over a very wide area; they are drawn from various classes, and they lack the equipment for organised effort. The Dominion authorities with the beet will in the world cannot help them to overcome the shortcomings of defective education. ... Other countries provide the necessary aid to their nationals in the person of a Consular Officer. India maintains no such agency in the Dominions. Doubtless, the Indian population, both in Australia and New Zealand, will, in future, probably be a dwindling factor, but this can of itself be no justification for a neglect of the interests of those who are there. From several quarters I received suggestions or requests that this should be supplied. Nothing could be of more effectual help to the Indian community in these distant lands than the presence of a sympathetic and duly accredited representative of their country who was charged primarily with the duty of protecting their interests; nothing could' better smooth over difficulties which must arise between Governments so far removed from one another as the Governments of the Dominions and of India. If a protector of Indians is appointed in Fiji, it might be possible to include the protection of Indian interests in New Zealand and Australia in his jurisdiction. If such an appointment be deferred, an alternative arrangement would seem to be to appoint an agent for the two Dominions; who might also combine with the duties of protector- those of a Trade Commissioner if his work as protector does not occupy all his time. But some action to help our nationals in these countries eeems to me to be essential.

"The Government of New Zealand," says Mr. Sastri, with regard to the personal side of his tour, "had made every arrangement for our comfort, and both as cicerone and official guide Mr. Hislop, who accompanied me everywhere in the Dominion, was invaluable. The reception accorded by the civic authorities was also most generous and enthusiastic; while nothing could exceed the courtesy shown mo by Their Excellencies the Governor-General and Lady Jellicoe. Everywhere I saw manifestations of sympathy for India and her people, and a genuine desire to establish a friendly understanding between the two parts of the Empire by the removal of outstanding differences."