THE COLOUR LINE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13708, 26 March 1908, Page 5

THE COLOUR LINE.

EXCLUSION OF INDIANS.

PROTEST FROM VANCOUVER

'DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS

By Telegraph.—Press Association.— Copyright. Vancouver, March 24. A mass meeting of Indians at Vancouver has sent a cable to the, Secretary of State for India (Mr. John Morley), protesting against their deportation and exclusion from Canada, declaring that British subjects claimed Government protection throughout the Empire. If their interests were overlooked the people of India would resent it. (Received March 25, 11.35 p.m.) London, March 25. In the House of Commons Mr. Morley (Secretary of State for India), referring to the protest of Indians sent from the meeting at Vancouver, stated that after consulting the Indian Government and the Colonial' Office it had been decided to send an envoy to the Dominion Government in the hope of terminating, if possible, the extremely difficult, intricate, and possibly dangerous question. The announcement was received with cheers. The Vancouver correspondent of the Times reports that in the absence of the Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Clement decided that the Order-in-Council of January 8 was illegal technically, and ordered the Hindoos recently imprisoned under it to be released. LAURIER'S EXPLANATION. NEW IMMIGRATION POLICY. Ottawa, March 25. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, speaking in the Dominion House of Commons, explained in reference to the protests of the Hindoos that admission was refused to all Asiatic and European immigrants unless furnished with through tickets from the country of origin.

In reference to the refusal of the Vancouver authorities to admit a German emigrant from Australia, Sir Wilfrid Laurier thought;, that that was carrying a good principle too far.