122 THE SOUTH AFRICAN INDIAN QUESTION

thousands of Indians settled in Soubh Africa will be deprived of the security of residence in Soubh Africa for which they fought for eight) years and which they fchought they had won, A(J least a quarter of the Indian settlers of South Africa are subjects of the Baroda and the Ktthiawar states, If any law considers them as aliens, surely it has to be altered, It is an insult to the abates and their subjects to treat the latter as aliens

��INDIANS IN SOUTH AFRICA

In 1919 the Transvaal legislature passed laivs res- tricting the then Indian traders and their successors to particular Townships. The disabilities of Indian tradeis multiplied and became the subject of an acute agitation and threatened to revive passive resistance. On receipt of a cable early in August, 1919, from the British Indian Association, Natal, Mr, Gandhi tvtote as folloios in the Indian Review :

I have just received the following cablegram from Mr. Ibrahim Ismail Assvab, Chairman of tha British Indian Association, Johannesburg :

"Bill assented ^3cd Jane, promulgated 3rd io3bnt. Restricts companies acquiring further fixed properties and holding bonds as prior to company law, Re-affirms Gold and Townships Aota operating on new licensees after 1st May and restricting present traders and successors to particular townships. Deputation waiting His Excellency urging withhold assent on ground class legislation, Government promised another commission during recess investi- gate Indian question throughout Union as concession to the detractors in Parliament, Pear further restrictive legislation. Community request you appeal Viceroy propose Royal Commission. India representing Union local Indian interests. Convened Union Indian Conference 4th Augusfc,great success. Decided united action. Many of the association pledged resist any cost. Aswat,"

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