thousands of Indians settled in South Africa will be deprived of the security of residence in South Africa for which they fought for eight years and which they thought they had won, At least a quarter of the Indian settlers of South Africa are subjects of the Baroda and the Kathiawar 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 laws restricting the then Indian traders and their successors to particular Townships. The disabilities of Indian traders 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 wrote as follows in the Indian Review:—
I have just received the following cablegram from Mr. Ibrahim Ismail Aswat, Chairman of the British Indian Association, Johannesburg :
"Bill assented 23rd Jane, promulgated 3rd instant. Restricts companies acquiring further fixed properties and holding bonds as prior to company law, Re-affirms Gold and Townships Acts 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 investigate 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 August, great success. Decided united action. Many of the association pledged resist any cost.—Aswat,"
