IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 November 1923, Page 3

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

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ADDRESS PRESENTED TO AIR MASSEY. VI CTO I! IA I.EAGI'K’.S A i ’PH L( TATI OX. AUSTRALIAN AND N. 7.. CAULK ASSOCIATION. LONDON. November I. -Mr Alassey has received from the Victoria League .mi ornate address extendin': a most cordial welcome tn him « as an old and constant friend and a trusted representative nl' Ihe Dominion to ulneli the Loanin' >- linked by the closest possible ties. ** The address continue*: ‘We remember, with deep feeling, Imw. thrmighout the dark years of strife, not only the. gallant sons of New Zraiiaml louglit unceasingly for the Empire, hut how the Victoria League in the Dominion showered edi ts upon the sull'erei - of the war. Wo are very grateful for the unfailing kindness with which the si--ter Leagues of New Zealand have welcomed the men and women we Lave been privileged to commend to their care. We know how you steadfastly upheld the cause of truth and justice and we thank you ami our brothers and sisters overseas.' 1 A coverinp; letter identities .Mrs Massey with the presentation. TIIK INDIAN QUESTION. liKlt CASK STRONGLY I’l! KSK.NTKD BRAISE KOI! NEW ZKAI.AND.

I.DNDDN. Nov. I. The text of the .speeches at tin- Imperial Conference on the status of India ns in the Empire has been issued. Viscount I’ell cliipha-ied that the soJuti. n nl the problem was es-ential lor tbe preservation oi the unity of the Empire. Opinion in India was completely unanimous repair'l pip; tin- mutter hernii- - Indian-, regarded the disability under which their countrymen laboured el - world as a brand of social inferiority. Viscount J’eel recalled the fact that India had contributed I . i;:;., men and over two hundred millions sterling lor war purposes and India was silting at tiie Imjterial Conference on eipial terms w 11!i tbe Dominions, and was aec..-]ited i>y tbe .League of Nations u- one of the eight g'lentcxt. industrial States in the world. It was the intent ion rf I,lm agitation of Indians to share in the glories of the British Empire. It the opinion of India is disregarded how could India he expected to eu-ojierate whole-heartedly in the 'treat work of consolidating the Empire. The snipe of the problem, aprart from tbe South African point, of view>wns e ery great. There were only two tboiisand ImiTaiis in Australia, six hundred in New Zealand and twelve hundred in firitisli Columbia. Viscount I’eel renlliruKil v.linl was stated at the Conf.-reiice of 192! in regard to India’s complete .acceptance of the Dominions' right to deten.iiue the composition of their own community. He urged the I) jniinintts to consider the matter generously with iu--tiee and expediency eotnhitied in an appeal which was surely irresistible. Ihe time had come when these disabilities should lie. sp 'cilieallv removed. Ml- .Sapi'll said tnat he was lighting for the euuse of his country as a subject of the King. lie was liphtinp lor a place in the King's household, and not for a place in nis stables. Indian allegiance to tbe throne was a real living tiling and if that allegiance was shaken the foundation of the Empire's fabric: would he shaken with conse(|lienees diilieult to over-estimate, the one function ef the Imperial Conlereuce was to bring about a good understand-

ing between the units ol the Empire, io streiigtlien its ties ami in uniting them, r If the conferenre failed to achieve that then it: faih cl to justify its existence The Indians and the Indian Govcni- ' inont received the Kenya decision with the utmost dismay, He lelt that a serious blunder had been made, and the Indian Government would not accept the decision as final, there were about IS million Indians settled elsewhere in the Empire, and they were subjected, in many places, to grave political and economic disabilities. .Mr Sapro paid a tribute to the Government of New Zealand ior treating Indians on it looting of equality so that Indians could live there as fellow eitiy.ons and in honor. He appealed to Mr Jlruce to co-operate in a method lor removing the disabilities stdlered by Indians in Australia. INDIA’S STATES. T.ONDOX, Nov. 1. Mr Ilruee. Australian Premier, sneakin" at the Gonl'ei'ciice on the Indians' status, said that the 1921 ._ Conference resolution whs eonenrred in by tlia Australian representatives. This sub's jeet had been one of < nndderal.le public discussion in Australia. and men of everv .''hade o! politiial thought there bud shown a sympathy with the claim that the legally-domiciled Indians sltiitild enjoy full citizen rights. As. however. the (|iiestinu had not figured on the Gouleivnee s prelimiiiai;. agenda, lie had not but! an opportunity of eonsulting bis colleagues nl Parliament. At the same time, lie believed that Australian public opinion was readv to welcome, as lar a- tie- domieifv<t Indians were enm-ernecl. any ln'-n----sure which was couceiled to he m the Empire's interests. It was not a n tion ol admitting fresh Indians. I hat would he contrary to the fundamental principles animating the people ! ‘i Australia, and Hint must govern the policy of nnv Atjsl ralian Goveninteut. Nor did he understand that there was any shadow of a suggest ion that the Indian Government desired to emigrate. Indians to Australia; but it was stnipiy a. quest it satisfying the legitimate aspirations of the few Indians already lawfully domiciled there. He ‘ paid a tribute to India’s war ell’orts, which had won for her a new status. The opposition to nny Asiatic emigration rested on dear, cogent, economic considerations, and not on feelings against race or colour. Tor this reason the Commonwealth I arliament had prohibited Indian and ' \sialic settlers, lie therefore, under Australia’s special circmimtuuecs. thought it unnecessary lor Imlm to semi ■i special committee of Inquiry. *>e would consult his colleagues on .what action slmttld lie taken. . Mr Massev said that New Zealand pave the Indians in New Zealand nrr.eticallv the same privileges as were enjoyed hv the Anglo-Saxons settle! there. Any objection over raised to the Indians going to New Zea and was o,i economic lines, such as Mr Inner had indicated. They slmttld do ovrrytliino- necessary to make the names of India feel that tlrnv desired to treat - them with just tee. Mr -Nistn. dm mg his visit to New Zealand, said he pra - » tic-ally had no fault to find m regard to the* treatment of Indians.