THE ANTI-ASIATIC FEELING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 19

THE ANTI-ASIATIC FEELING.

♦ THE. TRANSVAAL TROUBLE. PRISONERS TO BE RELEASED. LONDON, January 29. A Blue Book which has been issued shows lively misgivings on the part of Mr Morley and Sir E. Grey at the possible effect of the Transvaal's Asiatic legislation in India and abroad. Mr Botha, before the act was sanctioned, promised that temporary permits would admit distinguished Asiatics by means of their signatures instead of by their finger prints, and promised legislation to restrict the powers of expulsion. The Chronicle says that while the selfgoverning colonies are determined to exclude Asiatics the Imperial Government, whichever party is in office, cannot dictate a different policy ; but the problem is a grave one, and alleviation may be found in Indian immigration to Home and the Crown countries of British Africa. Mr Chownaggree, in the course of a speech at the New Reform Club, said that the Transvaal's outrageous treatment of Asiatics had already created a crisis, which would become an Imperial danger if it continued. Lord Elgin's attempt to shelter himself behind the plea that it is impossible to interfere with the legislation of an autonomous colony was a flimsy excuse, since self-government was given to enable w colony to deal with its internal affairs, not to tyrannise over other British subjects. January 30. j The Standard's Johannesburg correspondent says that signatures will supersede the finger-print form of identification, and that Mr Ghandi and the other Indians who are now in prison will be released. In the course of his speech at the opening of Parliament, Mr Asquith said he liad good reason to hope for an early agreement in the Transvaai — one that would remove all just causes of Indian giievances. OTTAWA, January 30. Sir F. W. Borden's motion protesting against the arrangements relating to Japanese immigration was negatived By a majority of 55. Sir Wilfrid Laurier declared that he knew that Japan did not include in the treaty of 1894 a clause restricting immigiation. He said that Canada was in a better position without such a provision than the United States was with it, because the former relies upon Japan's good faith. Referring to the value of the alliance, he remarked that in the event of war they might see the fleets o* Japan and Britain united in the North Pacific against a common enemy. Japan's fleet weighing anchor at Vancouver was a protection of British interests. PRETORIA, January 29. Mr Smuts, in a speech at Pretoria, said that owing to the increase of Asiatics in Natal it was about time that West South Africa took firm action and. proffered i

advice to Natal in the strongest terms ; otherwise the immigrants would overrun the whole of South Africa.' He said th< Transvaal was still willing to register Asiatics if they came forward voluntarily^ January 31. Mr Smuts has accepted an aesurance from the leaders of til© Asiatics that they will make the voluntary registration effective. The sentences on all prisoners have been remitted, and the finger-prints .have • been dispensed with in the case of educated people or property-owners and others who could be identified. Mr Smuts will allow all the Indians who are entitled to register an opportunity of registering during the next three- months. No information offending the religious susceptibilities of the Indians will be asked. February 1. The finger-print system of registration' will 'be retained in the caee of uneducated Asiatics in the Transvaal. Indians who were legally domiciled before the war may return. DURBAN, February 2. Mr Smuts will introduce a fyill into the Transvaal Parliament legalising the form of registration adopted on Thursday by way of compromise Thirty-six Asiatics have been released from gaol at Pretoria, and 15 notices to quit have been rescinded. N CALCUTTA, February % The settlement has caused unqualified Baltisfaotion throughout India. . _ BOMBAY, January 30. Seven thousand Hindus, Mohammedan^ and Parsees, and many prominent Euro* peans met in the Town Hall at Bombay,' and protested against the Transvaal legiar latron. ' Several " heated speeches werf made, and the introduction of a retalia* tory act into the Indian Legislativ* Council was suggested. British Minister* and Parliament w€re unanimously urged to prevent the injustice and ill-treatment which were producing a growing sense ol wrong and universal indignation in. India. TOKIO, January 28. Viscount Hayashi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, informed the Diet that tin Government meant to safeguard th« Japanese residing abroad by preventing any further exodus save under extremelj rigid restriction,