EMPIRE AFFAIRS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19002, 26 October 1923, Page 7

EMPIRE AFFAIRS.

THE STATUS OF INDIANS. A THORNY PROBLEM. THE DISCUSSION ADJOURNED. (Special to the Press Association.) LONDON, October 24. The conference devoted the morning to the status of Indians in Empire countries. The discussion is unfinished. It is understood that satisfaction was expressed at the treatment accorded Induces in New Zealand, The Indian delegation at the Imperial Conference has been most active in seeking to make an Empire crisis out of its claims for equal recognition as citizens. The members base their demands on the resolutions passed by the 1921 conference. The Indians complain that nothing has been done to give effect to the resolutions, which granted thorn full citizenship where they have been lawfully admitted and are residing in the dominions. Mr Bruce and Mr Massey havo little difficulty in meeting the Indian wishes so far as their own dominions are concerned, but they arc likely enough to walk warily in tho light of the difficulties which confront Canada and South Africa, li.e In dians are infuriated by the disabilities imposed on them in Kenya Colony, which they regard as having been engineered by General Smuts. Though Kenya is outside the South African Union, there is reason to believe that General Smuts is taking tho stillest attitude on the whole question, and is likely to resist any considerable measure granting citizenship rights to tho 160,000 people of the Indian race now within the Union. The Indians will ask for committees to examine the problems for tho purpose of making effectual the 1921 resolutions in those dominions which to them. They claim that they have behind them a united national sentiment, embracing all creeds and classes. Just how much there is behind their claim will measure the gravity of the crisis. The discussion was adjourned till October 29.—Reuter and Sydney Bun Cables. Tho resolution of tho 1921 _ conference recognised that there was an incongruity between the position of India as a member of the British Empire and the existence of disabilities -upon British Indians lawfully domiciled in some parts of the Empire, and expressed the opinion that, in the interests of the solidarity of toe British commonwealth, it was desirable that the rights of such Indians to citizenship should be recognised. The representatives of .South Africa were unable to accept this resolution. “ FATHER 01 CONFERENCE.” COMPLIMENT TO MR MASSEY. LONDON, October 24. (Received Oct. 25, at 5.5 p.m.) Speaking at a. British Chamber of Commerce dinner, the Duke of Devonshire (Colonial Secretary) referred to Mr Massey as “ the father of the conference, and said he hoped that when he could not attend himself he would throw on his iniccessor his mantle usefulness, helpfullness, and true Imperial spirit. Mr Massey, in replying to the toast of “The Trade of the Empire.” said he had reason to believe that India would be perfectly satisfied with what the conference had done that day. Continuing, Mr Massey said : “ On the question of Freetrade you allow goods into your country duty free, but do ether countries allow your goods in free? Not much. They charge you up to the nilt. You are soft enough to call that Freetrade.”

Mr R. V. Wilson (Australia) emphasised that Australia was not a kindergarten. The men who came out must work. The delegates had come to London pleading, but Britain and the dominions ought to plav “fifty-fifty " in the interests of the Empire. Australia would be able to carry out her deal. ECONOMIC CONFERENCE. EMPIRE TRADE FACILITIES. IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS. LONDON, October 24. (Received Oct. 25, at 8.26 p.m.) The Economic. Conference dealt with the interim reports of several of the committees. It was the intention of Mr Massey fx open the subject of Empire currency, but as the sitting was near the adjournment it was decided to defer the subject to a later meeting when it is expected a committee will be appointed to report on the question. The Committee on Commercial Facilities has furnished ah interim report dealing with the coihmercial intelligence service, travellers’ samples, trade catalogues, and price lists. The committee recommended the conference to welcome the offer of the British Government bo place its commercial and diplomatic offices ai the service of the dominions and recommended the Empire Governments ma.i taining commercial representatives in any foreign country to secure the closest cooperation between these officers in the interests of Empire trade. It recommended that travellers’ samples should he duty free, contingent on re-exportation, and also that more'*elastic provision should be made for the admission of trade catalogues duty free under defined conditions. The Conference expressed general approval of the resolution adopted by the London Conference of Internationals on Maritime Law in 1922, and the recommendations of Lord Colwyn’s committee on the liability of the dominions’ Governments to United Kingdom taxation, but final action was not taken.—A. and N.Z. Cable. bv youths and men decorated with the Soviet star on the collar. They tore up the paving stones, dragged the teats trom restaurants, end cut down many line frees. The police have now retaken the greater number of the stations by means of attacks with hand grenades. Meanwhile money is pouring into Bavaria from the sympathisers with ilerr Hitler’s Activist policy, not only from Germany, but from Czccho-Slovakia and Hungary, who believe that the Bavarians are achieving a military autonomy which will rouse the Nationalist elements throughout the old German Empire. General von Sceckt has asked the Government to allow him to march into Bavaria and bring General von Lossow and his troops to their senses. The greater part of the German army favours military action against Bavaria and General von Lossow. —A. and r«.Z. Cable.