INDIANS IN AFRICA.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1370, 22 February 1912, Page 5

INDIANS IN AFRICA.

HOUSE OF LORDS DEBATE,

t>7 reletraDh—Pren AMoot'aUan—Ceorrlf n* London, February 20. In tho House, of Lords, Lord Emmott, Dnder-Secretary of State for the Colonies, replying to a question by Lord Ampthill 'ex-Governor of Madras) regarding the status of Indians in South Afrioa, said he believed the situation was improving. Union Ministers had tried to meet the British Government on important points. Lord Selbourno (ox-High Commissioner In South Africa) declared that, without nnder-rating the Indian case, it was necessary to understand tho South African view. It was « question of Eastern and Western civilisation. The Indian competition was Berious, and if it were not restricted would cause the European trader to disappear. If English tradesmen were subjected to similar competition, English opinion would not remain as impartial as now. It was an unsound argument to-say that all kinds of British subjects had the same rights in all parts of tho Empire. The special interests of each should be the first consideration. South Africans desired to restrict Indian immigration while treating fairly those domiciled in the country. Tho Marquis of Owe (Secretary of Etate for India) said .he had hoped that he had put the position clearly before tho Imperial Conference. Ho thought Lord Ampthill somewhat pessimistic in thinking that the conversations at tho Imperial Conference on the subject had had no result. He testified to the goodwill of the TJnion Ministers, but was afraid that goodwill would not be universal in South Africa. There was a good deal of prejudice beyond that caused by trades competition. Lord Crewe depre- : cated tho treatment that had been accorded to educated Indians. There was in India a growing opinion against emigration.