17 FEBRUARY 1923, Page 10

Kenya's problems are receiving considerable attention in the Press at

the present time because they symbolize the difficulties which confront the legislator in any country inhabited by two or three races. In Kenya the race- problem is not merely black versus white, for a compli- cation is added by the large and growing Indian popu- lation. The political status of the Indian in Kenya has been seized upon with avidity as ready material for agitation by the Indian Nationalist, who insists on exact equality of citizenship within the Empire, basing his attitude on the resolution to that effect passed at the Imperial Conference of 192-1. The Nairobi corre- spondent of the Times informs us that the terms offered to the Indians provide for a common electoral franchise with Europeans, property and education qualifications to be introduced if the standard is otherwise unreasonably low. The Europeans are reputed to be unwilling to accept the principle of a common franchise, and the Indians have so far refused to agree to restricted immi- gration. An early settlement of the problem does not seem likely. The Times suggests that " a satisfactory settlement would seem to imply the grant to the Indians in the colony of a voice in the discussion of affairs that would ensure their, adequate representation without holding out any prospect that the future of East Africa will fall into their control."