69

A.—6

of the immigration policy is only one side of the question. On the other side we have the: desire of India to see the grant of political and erther rights of citizenship accorded to her sons who have already, and in some cases for many years past, been legitimately domiciled within Australia. This desire is largely satisfied in the principle of the resolution of 1921. That resolution, together with the resolution of 1918, must be regarded as interdependent parts of a single endeavour to promote harmonious relations between the Dominions and India by securing the immigration policy of the former on tho one hand and by removing the cause of any ill-feeling in India on the other. The object of both resolutions, as I regard them, is to foster the cohesion of the Empire as a single; unit, not only comprehending within itself certain communities of European race all inspired by Western ideals of civilization, but also uniting in one system the different ideals, elements of strength, and potentialities of progress towards the common good which the Empire is happily able to draw from Eastern as well as from Western sources. In view of the position which exists in Australia and the consideration which has been given to the; question, there is no necessity for a committee further to discuss the matter such as has been suggested by Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru. While I appreciate the spirit in which it is put forward, Ido not think, in the special circumstances of Australia, there is any necessity for such action. On my return to Australia I will consult with my colleagues as to what action can be taken. STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND. Tribute to Presentation of Case for India. Mr. Massey : I will only detain the Conference a very few minutes. 1 should like —and I have no doubt the other members of tho Conference feel as I do—l should like to express my appreciation of the, eloquent speeches delivered by the representatives of India. lam especially impressed by the fact, which was very evident, that, while they were insistent in looking after the interests of India, they spoke as patriotic British citizens. I do not think there will be very much difficulty in the plan lam thinking now of the proposal that committees representing the Dominions shoulel meet a committee representing India. lam speaking more particularly for my own country. Position of Indians in New Zealand. I woulel like to endorse that, so far as New Zealand is concerned, we are practically giving the Natives of India resident in New Zealand the same privileges which are enjoyed by people of tho Anglo-Saxon race who are settled there. There is practically no difference between them. If there is or ever has been at any time any objection to Natives of India coming to New Zealand, those objections have been raised for economic reasons such as have been referred to by the Prime Minister of Australia. Tho workers in Now Zealand aro naturally anxious to maintain the present standard of living, and. if there happened to be a large influx of Natives of India at any time they have an idea that such standard might become lowered. They aro naturally anxious—and I am bound to say the New Zealand Parliament is also anxious—to prevent anything of the sort happening. There is no such thing as race-prejudice or anything of that sort. So far as the aboriginal Natives of New Zealand, are concerned, they are in exactly the same position as the European residents in New Zealand ; they have the same privileges in regard to Parliament and in connection with local affairs. Status of India at Imperial Conference. I have heard it stated as a matter of fact that there is an impression in India that the representatives of the Indian Empire at the Imperial Conference do not occupy the same position as the representatives of the. Dominions or other parts of the Empire. Now, I think that ought to be contradicted emphatically. We who represent the Dominions—and I know I can speak for those who represent the United Kingdom and the colonies as well —are anxious that the representatives of India sitting round this historic table should enjoy all the privileges that we enjoy and should have exactly the same position. I think that ought to be made perfectly clear in India. Methods of Agitation in India. I know this, that India has become during recent years a fruitful hunting-ground for agitators. I am not thinking of Indian agitators when I say that, because I know —and it is nothing to be proud of —that some of the people of our own race have taken a prominent part in fomenting trouble in India, and not only in India, but in those British countries where a number of Natives of India have: become located. There are not many opportunities in my country, but I have known people of our own race to be doing their le:vel best to stir up trouble with the Natives of India. Fiji is our neighbour, and there is a large number of Indians there. lam not speaking for Fiji, but I would only say this : that I have the best of reasons for knowing —I know it officially —that, Europeans frequently have been doing their level best to foment disturbances in Fiji. lam simply speaking of labour troubles and difficulties of that sort. Once troubles are started and when strikes take place we, who have hail experience: of these industrial troubles, never know where they arc going to end ; and they sometimes stir up trouble which is not forgotten for a very long time afterwards. Tribute to India's place in Empire, and to her Civilization. My opinion—l speak as a British citizen and not only as the representative of New Zealand — is that we should do everything that is possible to make the Natives of India feel, whether here or in India itself, that we want to treat them with justice, and that we want to elo everything that is fair and right and proper as far as they are concerned. I know perfectly well that when we think of government, by Indians we have to remember—and I think it was the Maharajah who expressed this opinion—that if development is to take place it will not be quite by what is called Western methods. We can unilerstanil that. When one remembers the huge population of India, the number of races which are there:, the number of languages that are spoken, and the different religions, I have often thought that it might be desirable, when the time comes, as I believe it will come, to let India be