ASIATICS OX THE RAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13649, 17 January 1908, Page 5

ASIATICS OX THE RAND.

MUST REGISTER OR QUIT.

MANY MORE IMPRISONED.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.Copyright.

Pretoria, January 15. Several more unregistered Indians in Pretoria, for failing to quit the Transvaal before Sunday last, the J2th inst., as ordered, have been sentenced to three months' imprisonment

Ten Indians and eight Chinese shop assistants and storekeeper# have been ordered' to quit, while 26 for picketing are under similar orders.

The chairman of the Chinese Association at Johannesburg and an Indian have been sentenced to two months for failing to quit, while 32 Indians in Johannesburg have been ordered to quit within a fortnight.

The majority pleaded that they had resided in the Transvaal for 12 to 16 yea-re, and had businesses valued at thousands of pounds. A Brahmin pleaded that he belonged to the highest class, which had representatives in the Commons and the Council of the Indian Empire, and that compulsion was contrary to their principles.

DEATH BEFORE DISHONOUR.

A REMARKABLE PETITION,

(Received January 17, 1.27 a.m.)

Pretoria. January !•:

A remarkable petition has been forwarded to Lord Elgin (Secretary of State for the Colonies) by 116 exIndian soldiers who are holders of military orders entitling them to residence ir the Transvaal.

The method of identification under the registration ordinance is. they state, contrary to their religious tenets.

"If we cannot be protected from the ' degradation of imprisonment," they conclude, '' we ask His Majesty the King to command us to be shot on the South African battlefields where we have been under fire."