Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/99

 cnenfc, refusing to allow the NaUI Government to make tbe breach of the clause about compulsory return a criminal offence, The Natal Government have got ovar the difficulty by the poll-tax Clause.

The Attorney-General in discussing that clausd said that while an Indian could not ba sent to gaol for refus- ing to return to India or to pay the tax, so long as there waa anything worth having in his hut), ill will ba liable to seizure. We strongly opposed that Bill in the local Parliament and failing there, sunb a memorial to Mr. Chamberlain, praying either that; the Bill should be dis- allowed or emigration to Natal should bo suspended.

The above proposal was m )oted 10 years ago and ib was vehemently opposed by the mos^ eminent colonists in Natal. A Commission waa then appointed to inquire into various matters concerning Indians in Natal. Oae of the Commissioners, Mr. S^underd, says in his addi- tional report :

Though the Commission has made no recommendation on the subject of paBeiug a law to force Indians back to India at the expiration of their term of service, unless they renew their inden- tures, I wish to express my strong condemnation of any such idea, and I feel convinced 'that many, who now advocate the plan ,when they realise what it, means, will reject it as energetically as I do, Stop Indian emigration and face results, but don't try to do what I can show is a great wrong.

What is it but taking the best of our servants (the good as well as the bad), and then refusing them ihe enjoyment of the reward, forcing them back <if we could, but we oannotl when their vest days have been spent for our benefit, Whereto ? Why back to face a prospeot of starvation from which they sought to escape when they were young. Bhylook-like, taking the pound of flesh, and Shylook-like we may rely on it meeting Shylock's reward.

The Colony can stop Indian immigration, and thai, perhaps, far more easily and permanently than some ' popularity seekers' would desire. But force men off at the end of their service, this the Colony cannot do. And I urge on it not to discredit a fair .name by trying,

�� �