INDIAN WANTS.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14839, 3 December 1913, Page 9

INDIAN WANTS.

LORD CREWE IN REPLY.

"NO PRACTICAL GRIEVANCES."

(Received December 2nd, 10.40 p.m.) LONDON, December 2. Sir Mancherjee Bhownagreo, who introduced the deputation, said it was the Imperial Government's duty to mediate. The deputation asked for tho release of passive resistors, the removal of the racial bar, and the abolition of the poll-tax. Lord Crewo said that the South African Goveri nent 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 bo stupid and " red-taped," others so racially prejudicod that they did not wish to administer the laws leniently. The Indians had not claimed that South Africa ought to legalise polygamy, but polygamous communities demanded reasonable consideration. India had been deeply stirred. Though every statement need not be accepted as proved, yet it was evident grounds existed for serious disquiet. Ghandhi was a man of high ideals. At the samo time South African Ministers were honestly anxious to see tho laws humanely administered, but he-was bound to add that the South African leaders were often hampered by the existence of a loss enlightened public opinion. The 60s tax did not bring in a large revenue, and it did not seem to serve any useful purpose. The stories of flogging demanded an enquiry.