Chapter XLII
The Conference and After
At their invitation I saw the mine-owners in Durban. I observed that they were somewhat impressed by the strike, but I did not expect anything big to come out of the conference. The humility of a Satyagrahi however knows no bounds. He does not let slip a single opportunity for settlement, and he does not mind if any one therefore looks upon him as timid. The man who has faith in him and the strength which flows from faith, does not care if he is looked down upon by others. He relies solely upon his internal strength. He is therefore courteous to all, and thus cultivates and enlists world opinion in favour of his own cause.
I therefore welcomed the coal-owners’ invitation and when I met them, I saw that the atmosphere was surcharged with the heat and passion of the moment. Instead of hearing me explain the situation, their representative proceeded to cross-examine me. I gave him suitable answers.
‘It is in your hands to bring the strike to an end,’ I said.
‘We are not officials,’ was the reply.
‘You can do a deal though you are not officials,’ I said. ‘You can fight the labourers’ battle for them. If you ask the Government to take off the £3 tax, I do not think they will refuse to repeal it. You can also educate European opinion on the question.’
‘But what has the £3 tax to do with the strike? If the labourers have any grievance against the coal-owners you approach them for redress in due form.’
‘I do not see that the labourers have any other weapon except a strike in their hands. The £3 tax too has been imposed in the interest of the mine-owners who want
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