79

A.—6

Personal Position. On this important problem of Indians overseas I have little more to say, but I wish to add this : that my position as a delegate from India is likely to be misundcrstooel in some quarters, and even in India, anel therefore I would like to make it clear. I have not come here as an elected or selected representative of British India. I have not even been elected or selected by my brother princes, or have their mandate. I think you know that lam not an employee of the British Government, but in accordance with past precedent I have come here as the nominated representative of the Indian princes, and have been invited to work here by the Government of India and the Secretary of State. But, although I carry no mandate for what I say for my order, I nevertheless happen to be one of them. lam an Indian, and I belong to a family who have been loyal and faithful allies of the Crown and its Government. I have therefore, primarily, expressed my own views, but I hope also what I feel to be; the views of my order and my countrymen, or at least some of them. I have much appreciated the compliment, of having been asked to work on this conference, but, for the sake, of my country, I hope that my successor at the next one will be even more fortunate in being elected by my order to come to this distinguished gathering in consultation, with the, approval of the Viceroy and. the Secretary of State. I should welcome indeed if our member for two-thirds of India should be privileged to enjoy tho same position, but on this topic I will not attempt to speak, as it is outside my purview, and because I would be charged with treading on ground on which angels fear to go. Conclusion. And now, in conclusion, T will say this : The whole question of Indians overseas is, we are told in many places, an economic problem —that it is not a racial one, to impress upon any one the inferiority of any partiemlar race. I, at any rate, welcome that sentiment, and I feel, now that this good will and co-operation is prevailing on. all sides, that the whole of this difficult problem will be set at rest —and the earlier the better— within the domains of possibilities, so that India can turn her mind towards her own domestic problems and work out her salvation to be a loyal and integral part of the British Empire. In conclusion, may I thank the Dominion Prime Ministers for the words that have fallen from their lips, where one said that he certainly desired to see India go ahead ; and that the 1921 resolution passed by the previous Conference is regarded as a pledge which all concerned seem anxious to fulfil and to uphold. Prime Minister anel gentleme-n, T thank you one and all for having created in this room that favourable atmosphere towards my country which I hope will soon bear practical and tangible results, not only for the sake of the British Empire, but for the sake of one-fifth of the human race. Mr. Harvey, in giving his views recently, when Lord Curzon presided, said, " We, have preferred settlement to argument." That exactly sums up my conclusion, and I hope, that I may be permitted to express my final sentiments. Although it is in poetry, I think the words exactly express my views : — What then shall be the guerdon (A great and priceless burden) Of taut'ning up our grand olel Empire's chain ? It shall be for us the glory To prove irr full the story Our Brotherhood does not exist in vain. Don't criticize and grumble ; Don't sneer at every stumble ; • Let each one try and see the other's aim : And if at first we fail To hear the friendly hail Let us bear ijj mind the birthright of our slain. Like them we'll pull together— Rose and Wattle, Maple, Heather — Our own bright Star is rising with the morn ; Aye, let's sail the ship together Thro' storm and stress of weather, Onwarel, ever onward, to the Dawn ! STATEMENT BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES, ON BEHALF OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HOME AFFAIRS. The Duke of Devonshire: I regret to say the Home Secretary is unable to be here this afternoon, but, as a statement* has been circulated to the whole of the Conference which will eventually be published, I would like to make the following observations on his behalf : — Meaning of Imperial Nationality. " This interesting and frank discussion has brought out in high relief a distinctive characteristic of the British Empire or Commonwealth—an essential unity attaining realization in varying and independent methods and practices under a great variety of conditions. " At the core lies the vital principle of common British nationality on which the representatives of India have justly and eloquently laid great stress, and which finds expression in General Smuts's words : ' The common Kingship is the binding link bet ween the parts of the Empire.' " It is not inconsistent: with this principle to recergnize, as it always has been rccognize'd, that every part of the Empire is free tr> settle' its own domestic concerns, including questions as to the; rights to be enjoyed by any person or classes of pesrsons within its territory. In considering problems

* Sec Annex B.