THE HINDU TROUBLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15937, 3 December 1913, Page 5

THE HINDU TROUBLE

REPRESENTATIONS TO LORD

CREWE.

RIGHTS OF CITIZENSHIP.

Piesj Associ&tion-By Telegraph-Copyright.

LONDON, December 1. The All-Indian Sonth African League formed a deputation to Lord Crewe (Sec-'' retnry of State for India), and demanded an inquiry into the treatment of Indians in South Africa, and the intervention of the Imperial Government, with a view to securing the rights of citizenship for Indians throughout the Empire.

''Sir Mancherjec Bhownagreo alluded to the brand of unfitness imposed on Indians in certain' British colonics. -

Lord Crewe admitted that the material for an inquiry existed. The Government was prepared to accep? the result of Mr Botha's personal inquiries, but would welcome a' non-official investigation in the interests of Imperial solidarity. He, however, deprecated anyone menacing South Africa.

December 2, (Received Dec. 2, at 10.40 p.m.)

Sir Mancherjee Bhownagree, who introduced the deputation, said it was the Imperial Government's duty to mediate. The deputation asked for the release of the passive resistors, the removal of the racial bar, and the abolition of the poll tax.

Lord Crewe said the South African Go vemment contended that though the laws were restrictive owing to the demands of South African opinion, yet they had been so easily operated that no practical grievance existed. Some minor officials might be stupid and use red-tape methods, and others so racially prejudiced that they did not wish to administer the laws leniently in regard to Indians. He did not ck;m that South Africa ought to legalise polygamy, but, ho said, that polygamous communities demanded reasonable consideration. India had been deeply stirred, and it was evident that grounds existed for serions disquiet. Mr Ghandi was a man of high ideals, but at the same time the South African Ministers were honestly anxious to see the laws humanely administered. He was bound to add thififc the South African leaders were often hampered by the existence of less enlightened public opinion. A 6 per cent, tax would not bring in a large revenue, and did not seem to serve any useful purpose. The stories in regard to flogging demanded inquiry.

THE ALLEGED FLOGGING.

INDIANS DEMAND INQUIRY.

CHEEES FOR MR GHANDI AND

THE KING.

PIETERMARITZBURG, Deceirfb^TlX.

One thousand Indians approved a resolu\ tion requesting the appointment of a Com', mission to inquire into the cases of alleged flogging. Leo Copaul asked the meeting whether they placed greater reliance on the word of Lord Gladstone or of Gokhale. Tho former was simply a puppet in the hands of the Minister of Defence (Mr Smuts).

The meeting concluded with three cheers for Mr Ghandi and the King.

GOVERNMENTS ATTITUDE,

RIGIDLY MAINTAINED.

PRETORIA, December 1.

Tho Government's representative, Mr South, has returned, after making inquiries at Durban. The Government is prepared to accept the result of his personal inquiries.

The Government continues to refuse to discuss the grievances of Indians until order has been restored and the strike abandoned.