Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/94

 4 THE SOUTH AFRICAN INDIAN QUESTION

Bepublio which secures the property, trading and farm- ing right of all persons other than natives of South Africa in common with the citizens of the Republic.

The other States have no Indian population to speak of, because of the grievances and disabilities exoepto tha Portuguese territories which contain a very large Indian population and which do nob give any trouble to the Indians.

The grievances of the Indiana in South Africa are two-fold, i.e., those that are due to the popular ill-feeling against tho Indians and, secondly, the legal disabilities placed upon them, To deal with the firab, the Indian is the tnoBt hated being in South Africa. Every Indian without distinction is contemptuously called a " coolie." He is also called " Sammy/' Ramaaawmy," anything but " Indian." Indian school-masters are called " oolia school masters." Indian storekeepers are " coolie store- keepers." Two Indian gentlemen from Bombay. Messrs^ Dada Abdulla and Moos Hajea Caasim, own steamers* Their steamers are " coolie ships."

There is a very respectable firm of Madras traders by name, A Colandaveloo Pillay & Cc They bavebuilb a large block of buildings in Durban, these buildings are called " coolie stores " and the owners are " coolie owners." And I can assure you, gentlemen, thab there is as much difference between the partners of that firm and a " coolie " as there IB between any one in this hail and a coolie. The railway and tram-officials, in spite of the contradiction that has appeared in official quarters which I am going to deal with presently, I repeat, treafc us as beasts. We cannot safely walk on the foot-paths, A Madrassi gentleman, spotlessly dressed, always avoids*

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