HINDUS IN AFRICA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 624, 3 December 1913, Page 5

HINDUS IN AFRICA.

j INTEREST IN ENGLAND. INQUIRY DEMANDED. By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Oopyri«Ut London, Monday. The All-India South African League sent a deputation to Earl Crewe, Secretary of State for India, demanding an inquiry into the treatment of Indians in South Africa and the intervention of the Imperial Government with a view to securing the rights of citizenship to Indiana throughout the Empire. Sir Bhow Nagree alluded to the brand of unfitneas imposed upon Indiana in curtain British colonies. Earl Crewe admittted that material for an inquiry existed. The Government was prepared to accept the result 1 of South African inquiries, but would welcome a non-official investigation in the interests of Imperial solidarity. He deprecated anyone menacing South Africa. Received Tuesday, 10.40 p.m. London, Tuesday. Sir Bhow Nargee introiuced a deputation. He Baid it waß the Imperial Government's duty to mediate. The deputation asked for the release of the passive resisters and the removal of the racial bar by the abolition of the poll-tax, Earl Crewe aaid the South African Government contended that though the 'aws 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 be stupid and red-taped and others bo racially prejudiced that they did not wißh to administer the laws leniently to Indianß. It was not claimed that South Africans ought to legalise polygamy, -but polygamous communities demanded reasonable consideration. India had been deeply Btirrod though every statement needn't be accepted as facts. Yet it was evident grounds existed for serious disquiet. Ghandi was a man of high ideals. At the same time the South African Minitsers were honestly anxious to see £the laws humanely administered. He waa bound to add South African leaders were often hampered by the oxistence of a Ibbs enlightened public opinion. The £3 tax produoed a large revenue, and apparently served no useful purpose. The stories of flogging demanded enquiry