Indian Problem

What Has Happened in East Africa

THE following extract from an article in “The Colonial Review” (London ) is of particular interest to Fiji, and of general interest to all Pacific Territories faced with the

problem of Asiatic immigration.

IN East Africa there are at least two major problems of colonial policy which are unknown in the West.

One is the so-called Indian problem.

Across the Indian Ocean lies that teem ing sub-continent, population 350 mil lions, increasing at the rate of 50 millions in ten years.

Indians demand, and in peacetime have always enjoyed, the right of un restricted entry into Eastern Africa.

Already they greatly outnumber the Europeans, and during the war their numbers are said to have doubled. Indian leaders hope that East Africa will become an outlet for part of their huge popu lation surplus, eventually perhaps even a satellite of an independent India. At a recent inter-territorial Indian conference, held in Tanganyika, the chairman, Mr.

Chitale, advised Indians to “look upon all Government legislation as against our interests” and, referring to colonial laws, to “oppose and object to them” on all occasions.

The Europeans in Kenya and Tangan yika strenuously oppose Indian aspira tions. Indians threaten their position, and they wish to see British, and not

Indian, forms of civilisation and culture grafted on to the African stock.

In Kenya, they have secured the per petuation of a ban on Indian purchase of land in the “white highlands’’: but Indians own most of the townships and dominate trade, as they do in Tangan yika and Uganda.

The Government of India supports its nationals, and Indian opinion is particu larly sensitive because of the rough treatment experienced in South Africa.

The Imperial Government is bound to consider this question mainly from the point of view of African interests. It is no simple matter to say where these lie.

Indians have performed useful services in opening up channels of retail trade.

This has been done for profit, not as a form of service. Africans are now ready and anxious to advance into many fields hitherto virtually monopolised by Indians: for instance, as clerks, artisans, junior civil servants, and storekeepers. The re turn of the East African soldiers, trained for such jobs, will make that demand overwhelming.

—And in South Africa

ON November 7, the Indian Legislative Assembly at New Delhi recommended that India enforce economic sanc tions against South Africa and recall its High Commissioner from the Union as a reprisal for South African property laws which discriminate against Indians.

Last week the Government of India imposed on South Africans in India dis abilities similar to those imposed on Indians in South Africa, and stronger measures are being considered by the Government. An Assembly spokesman said: “I wish India were in a position to declare war on South Africa. If it had

been so, I would have lost no time in taking the army there.”

Dr. D. V. Deshmuk, member of the 'All India National Congress, said; “Even in this war Indians have shed their blood to save South Africans. I wish that Indian regiments could be sent to drive some sense into South African whites.

Indians were practically cajoled into going to South Africa generations ago for exploitation by white settlers.”

Mr. Trevor W. Wignall, Surveyor in the Lands Department, Fiji, has accepted the offer of a transfer to the Gold Coast, West Africa. He was born in Fiji and educated in Australia, and joined the Government as a surveyor in 1924. By 1936 he was acting as Assistant Commis sioner of Lands and Assistant Crown Surveyor, and in 1942 was nominated as an official member of the Suva Town Board. He has been for many years a prominent member of the Council of the European Civil Servants’ Association.