Page:The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, vol. 1.djvu/197



I do not think there remains anything more to be added. The situation is so critical that if the Franchise Bill becomes law, the position of the Indians 10 years hence will be simply intolerable in the Colony.

I remain, Your obedient servant, M. K. GANDHI

From a photostat of the original : S. N. 2251


 * 25 This letter is not available.


 * 26 "Petition to Natal Legislative Council", 6-7-1894

Letter to Dadabhai Naoroji (27-7-1894)

P. O. B. 253, DURBAN, July 27, 1894 Confidential

TO


 * THE HON. MR. DADABHAI NAOROJI, M.P.

SIR,

In continuation of my letter of the 14th instant I have to inform you as follows :

The petition to the Home Government, a copy of which has already been sent to you, was sent, I hear, last week.

Mr. Escombe, the Attorney-General, has made a report to the effect—if the informant is right—that the only reason for passing the Bill is to prevent the Asiatics from controlling the government of the Natives. The real reason, however, is simply this. They want to put the Indians under such disabilities and subject them to such insults that it may not be worth their while to stop in the Colony. Yet, they do not want to dispense with the Indians altogether. They certainly do not want those Indians who come on their own means and they want the indentured Indians very badly; but they would require, if they could, the indentured Indian to return to India after his term of indenture. A perfect leonine partnership! They know very well that they cannot do this at once—so they have begun with the Franchise Bill. They want to feel the pulse of the Home Government on the question. One member of the Assembly writes to me that he does not believe that the Home Government would sanction the Bill. I need hardly say