Page:The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, vol. 1.djvu/379

 India to suddenly arrest the development of Natal by shutting off the supply of immigrants as it would be for Natal to deny the rights of citizenship to British Indian subjects, who, by years of thrift and good work in the Colony, have raised themselves to the actual status of citizens (the italics throughout are your Memorialists’).

Your Memorialists now leave their case in your hands, and in so doing earnestly pray, and confidently hope, that the Royal assent to the Bill hereinbefore referred to will be withheld, and, if there be any fear as to the European vote being swamped by the Indian, an enquiry be ordered to ascertain whether there actually exists any such danger under the existing law, or such other relief will be granted as may meet the ends of justice.

And for this act of justice and mercy, your Memorialists, as in duty bound, shall for ever pray, etc., etc.

ABDUL KAREEM HAJI ADAM AND OTHERS

From a photostat of a printed copy: S. N. 979-83


 * 1 Vide “Memorial to Natal Legislative Assembly”, 27-4-1896


 * 2Vide “Letter to Prime Minister” 14-5-1896, and “Letter to C. Bird”, 18-5-1896.


 * 3On September 25, 1896, C. Bird communicated to the Memorialists Chamberlain's decision, that "Her Majesty's Government has carefully considered their representations, but has not felt justified in advising Her Majesty to disallow the Act" (S.N. 160)