Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/223



Mr. M, K, Gandhi, in moving the Resolution on India and the Colonies at the Bombay Congress of 1915, said:--

Mr. President and Friends, the Resolution that stands in my name reads thus:--

"The Congress regrets that the existing laws affecting Indians in South Africa and Canada have not, in spite of the liberal and imperialistic declarations of Colonial statesmen, bee:i justly and equitably administered, and this Congress trusts that the Self-Governing Colonies will extend to the Indian emigrants equal rights with European emigrants and that the Imperial Government will use all possible means to secure the rights which have been hitherto unjustly withheld from them, thus causing widespread dissatisfaction and discontent."

Friends,--It is an irony of fate than whilst this vast assembly will be regretting the hostile attitude that* has been adopted by the Self- Governing Colonies, a Contingent of your countrymen formed in South Africa will be nearing the theatre of war in order t?o help the sick and the wounded, and I am in possession of facts in connection with tibia Contingent formed in South Africa which shows that it is composed of the middle classes which, in accordance with the Times of India, are going to form the future self-governing nation. Those men are drawn from ax indentured Indians and their children, from the petty hawkers, the boilers, the traders, and yet the Colonies do nob consider it necessary to alter their attitudes not do I see the logic in altering their policy. It is the.