INDIANS ABROAI

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 July 1923, Page 5

INDIANS ABROAI

PREMIER SMUTS’S PLEA. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) CAPETOWN, July 25. In a speech at Maritzburg, Premier Smuts outlined the Government policy on the Asiatic question, which embraced a substantial measure of segregation. He wanted to pass legislation whereby it would be optional for towns in future to set aside an area for Indians, for residence and trade. Future licenses would only be granted in such area. The Government would have the final say in order to ensure the Indians were fairly treated in the matter of locality. He did not see why such a policy should bo resented by Iho Indians, or why the break up of Empire be threatened because of it. There was such a thing as caste in India, some classes refusing to associate with others. There was a heavy programme never attempted by any South African Government before, but they, as the European's community, had their plain duty, and asked to be masters in their own house. The Indians put forward a demand for equal franchise. M. Sastri was going about criticising the Empire. Hp (the speaker) was not going Io follow his example, but regarding the franchise, he saw no reason why they should make a differ once between Indians and Natives. If Iho Indians had the franchise, so must the Natives.