RACIAL PROBLEM.

Gisborne Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9574, 27 July 1923, Page 5

RACIAL PROBLEM.

SOUTH AFRICA’S ATTITUDE. SMUTS ON SASTRT. CAPETOWN, July 25. In a speech at Alaritzburg, General Smuts outlined the Government’s policy on the Asiatic question, which embraced a substantial measure of segregation. He wanted to pass legislation, whereby it would he optional for towns in the future to set aside an area for Indians only for residence and trade. Future licenses to Indians would only he granted in such an area. The Government would have the final say in order to ensure that Indians were fairly treated in the matter of locality. He did not see why, such a policy should be resented by the Indians, or why a break up of the Empire should 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, hub they, as an European community, had a plain duty and asked to be masters in their own house. Indians had put forward a demand for equal franchise. Air. Sastri was going about criticising the Empire. He was not going to follow his example, hut regarding the franchise he saw no reason why they should make a difference , between Indians and natives. If Indians had the franchise, so must the natives.— A. and N.Z.C.A.