1947-"No passports for Law-Breakers"
1947
"No passports for Law-Breakers"
It is learnt that the refusal of a passport to Dr Naicker, President of the Natal Indian Congress, and the "impounding" of the certificate of identity given to Dr Dadoo, President of the Transvaal Indian Congress, are not departmental decisions but the action of the Government
The Government feels that no facilities should be granted!' people who have deliberately broken the laws of the land in further of the Passive Resistance Campaign.
Passport Protest
Several hundred Indians were present at a meeting at the Gandhi Hall convened by the Transvaal Indian Congress to protest against the refusal to grant passports to Doctors Dadoo and Naicker. Fraternal speakers were present from the African National Congress, the African people's Organisation and the Council for Asiatic Rights.
Arbitrary Action
"The action of the South African Government in refusing passports to Dr. Y.M. Dadoo and Dr G.M. Naicker and impounding their certificates of identity was wholly unwarranted and arbitrary," said Mr. Gandhi
Rustomjee and Meer for UN -- Rustomjee says he represents Rustomjee
Mr. Sorabjee Rustomjee left by air during the week for Lake Success to attend the forthcoming sessions of the United Nations. He goes as a delegate of the Joint Passive Resistance Council. Mr. A.I. Meer, who is the second member of the delegation, leaves on 9 September by air.
It is expected that the Joint Council will meet over the weekend to discuss the possibility of sending other delegates.
Earlier in the week Mr. Rustomjee told a Leader representative that he was "representing Rustomjee" at Lake Success. At that time it was not known whom Mr. Rustomjee would represent. Behind this statement is, apparently, a story which sent Dr Naicker by air to Johannesburg to consult colleague Dr Dadoo. It is a story of heated arguments, debates and discord.
It will be recalled that when Mr. Sorabjee Rustomjee went to Lake Success last year, he made his own collection of funds.
On his return, the Joint Passive Resistance Council of the Natal and Transvaal Indian Congresses asked him for a financial statement of his journey to and from Lake Success. Mr. Rustomjee told the Council that he was not responsible to it, as he had not been financed by it.
The expenses which Mr. Rustomjee incurred are not reflected in the books of the Resistance Council.
This year, it is understood, Mr. Rustomjee set about preparing to go to Lake Success while the Resistance Council and Congress were absorbed in other matters.
