Page:The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, vol. 1.djvu/297



DURBAN, September 23, 1895

TO THE EDITOR The Natal Advertiser

SIR,

Your remarks in your Saturday’s issue on the “Indian Congress”, or more correctly, “The Natal Indian Congress”. are premature, seeing that the case in which the name has been used is not yet over. Were I not afraid of running the risk of committing contempt of court I would make a few remarks on the circumstances under which the Congress has been connected with the case. I am, therefore, obliged to postpone any remarks on the matter till the case is over.

In the meanwhile, in order to remove any misimpression your remarks may create, I would with your kind permission, set out the objects of the Congress. They are:


 * “(1) To bring about a better understanding, and to promote friendliness between the Europeans and the Indians residing in the Colony.


 * “(2) To spread information about India and the Indians by writing to newspapers, publishing pamphlets, lecturing, etc.


 * “(3) To educate the Indians, especially [those] born in the Colony, about Indian History, and induce them to study Indian subjects.


 * “(4) To ascertain the various grievances the Indians are labouring under, and to agitate by resorting to all constitutional methods for removing them.


 * “(5) To enquire into the condition of the indentured Indians and to help them out of special hardships.