24 NOVEMBER 1923, Page 16

THE INDIAN QUESTION IN SOUTH AFRICA.

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Stu—I see that Sir Tej Saprit, the eloquent and persuasive Indian delegate to the Imperial Conference, has had a parting fling at General Smuts, and, finding him obdurate, has gone off to India with all sorts of threatenings. He may spare him- self the trouble. Neither General Smuts, nor any other representative of South Africa, can possibly take up any other position than that which has been described as a non possumus. One has to live in South Africa for only a very little while to realize why this must be so. That is why I devoutly wish that a deputation from India would go to South Africa and see for themselves. A deputation the other way, from South Africa to India, would be useless. The degradation that is being effected by the Indian in such a town as Pietermaritzbuig, for instance, must be seen to be understood. After all, nothing is hurting the Indian in South Africa. The grievance is largely sentimental, and the white population of South Africa are not prepared to consider the question from that point of view.— I am, Sir, &c.,