THE INDIAN IN SOUTH AFRICA

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1650, 6 January 1914, Page 3

THE INDIAN IN SOUTH AFRICA

l¥ % "UNDESIRABLE. Whether'.'his 'presence in the country is liked or ■ not,-, it-; cannot be dcnicil that the Indian immigrant'often' adds to the picturesqueness. of the South African scene < (says a'. writer in the "Westminster Gazette").. Tho Indian women show n- treat .predilection ■ for bright colours "mjitheir.' dress; ■■ while the men go about '■ their work with a grave comixisure, in strong contrast to tho volubility of tho KafHr. , The.Malay Quarter in Capo Town is one of tho show-places of the city which visitors sire always advised to see. ' Even in a busy mining town like.. Kiraberley oiw may hear the. solemn.. call, to prayer being given... from : a■■ Mohammedan mosque. It is tho 'presence of this busy Indian community ~ which, has prompted so many writers to call Cape Town the meeting-place of East and West—"Denver with a.dash of Delhi,", as George- Stevens , described it. ...■'..: ■ The Indian in South Africa, has very little to do with.tho Kaffirs, and rarely even works with them. .. He will sell his produco to them if they wish to buy; tho bargaining is clone...' in ... a strange, mixture of Kitchen Kaffir and broken English, helped-"out by signs. Tho Kaffir—especially if■• ho has . only iust coino for tho first time from his kraal—is half-puzzled. and half-fright-ened by tho unruffled composure of the Indian, nntl it is very amusing to watch them together. Both sidos are seen on a bargain, but-their ; methods aro very different.,; Tho Indian points to - his wares, names tho price, and relapses into silence.' , .Tho Kaffir, likes-tp talk over his trading, but lto finds'conversation out of 'the question with this, impassive stranger. : ". The impassivity' of the East only nuzzles ; .the .natives of South Africa";itho : j,s'a'me;thing was very noticeable when.they came, into personal contact 'with'-' the Chinese .labourers ton the; Ilanil.>?;':■ ; . '■ '■■?'"'?:''?':