Sastri’s Send-off.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1922, Page 3

Sastri’s Send-off.

AN INDIAN PLEADER. REUTER'S TELEGRAMS. i (Received this dav at 9.50 a.m.) i DELHI. May 1. On the eve of his departure to the j Dominions to plead for equality of j status of Indians settled there, Snstri | received a hearty send-off, at a great j official banquet held at Simla. The I Viceroy read a message from the Secretary of State for India, wherein the lat- | ter, after referring to the Imperial I Conference’s resolution on equality and j Snstri’s part in the passage pointed i out that no bettor person could he j selected to treat with tlie Dominions ; and persuade their legislatures to on- ; act the necessary laws. He had the j fullest support, of the Government of j India behind him. The Viceroy appro- I ciated the cordiality of the Dominion i Premiers and hoped substantial results . would follow Snstri’s visit. At least, | Snstri could lay the foundation of ulti- j mate success.

I Snstri responding, said the Indian : 1 Government was now entirely national; | in spirit, concerning the important j j question of disabilities of Indians 1 abroad. It was also a sign of the use in status of India that she was now j asked to treat directly through Imr , icprcs-nt ".lives with the Dominion Go-, vernments, as equal to equal. The Do- \ minion Premiers doubtless sympathised ■ with the demands of Indians. They j j showed a readiness to understand the * i Indian cause and if possible befriend it. ! I Snstri regretfully mentioned that I though Lloyd George’s eloquence was | greatly responsible fur the passage of the equality lcsolution, lie could not . [ conceal the possibility of an adverse ■ j decision of Llovd George’s Government : regarding Kenya ami Uganda. In that, j ease he feared disastrous consequences ; would follow and the success of hi-' j mission he jeopardised. He believed , the British Commonwealth unique ■. amongst the political institutions ot , the world for the opportunity it gave j of the solution of the great problems of j colour in the conflict and dash be-j tween East and West. Oother politi- , cal organisations had not the same facilities for settling this problem, as the British Empire. India was ( he theatre where the problem was being solved, but its solution lay only in mutual understanding, harmony ot j .purpose and the fullest recognition of j equality and brotherhood. Sas+ri, I after referring to the great work done , by the British in India emphasised the , fact that the people of India at pro-j sent had no faith in the intentions ami | declarations of the British Government, j There was nothing so tragic in the ; whole history of India as the complete j wreck of confidence in the Government, j This it was the duty of every admin- \ istratioii to rebuild, by a scrupulous j manifestation of liberality and pro- j gressiveness. Onward and ever on- j ward, must he the motto of every man. j He pleaded for patience and forbearance in handling the present situation. While lie would say nothing to dishearten public servants or embitter any section of the people, he believed the present evil could not be cured by the ordinary policy of conserving vested interests. Englishmen must feel that the paramount thing was not. tin* maintenance of their privileges or interest, but the maintenance of India, within the British Commonwealth. Only that way could they do their duty by India and England, and their ] higher duty to humanity and civiliantion at large. A METEOR. (Received this day at 1f.30 a.m.) NEW. YORK, May 13. A meteor flashed across the sky in Virginia, rocking residences in half a dozen cities by the shock when it reached the earth. The meteor struck a I grove of oak trees, ca using a depressi on of more than live hundred square J feet in area. Several trees were buried in an immense hole. INDIAN SENTENCED. DELHI, May 13. Ghandi’s son was sentenced to eighteen months’ simple imprisonment. A childrens’ jfeial will he held in All Saints’ Schoojjpom on Thursday next at 7.30 p.in.Jp aid of the Baby’s Stall of the con jpg bazaar. Supper provided. Admission, children sixpence.— Advt.