Deputations-1946-First Deputation to India
Deputations
1946
First Deputation to India
Messrs Sorabjee Rustomjee, S.R. Naidoo, A.S. Kajee and A.A Mirza left for Mombasa at daybreak on Wednesday by seaplane or the first leg of their journey to India, where they will put the cause of the South African Indians before the Government and the people of India on behalf of the South African Indian Congress.
Carrying the Brown Man's Burden
Delegation's motives are suspect
M.D. Naidoo, Joint Secretary of the Natal Indian Congress, has declared that the SAIC delegation to India will accept a compromise settlement along the lines of the Pretoria Agreement, and has refused to be associated with the delegation.
In a letter to the leader of the delegation, Mr. Rustomjee, Mr. Naidoo states: "The logical step is to analyse the motives of the leader and majority members of this delegation, as expressed in speeches made at the conference in Cape Town. Here I find that, should such a thing as compromise settlement along the lines of the Pretoria Agreement emerge from the Round Table discussions, it will be acceptable to you and your colleagues.
"You are aware of the history of the Natal Indian Congress elections and how they were fought on the issue of the Pretoria Agreement.
You are also aware of our very deep and uncompromising opposition to such a compromise settlement. You will, therefore, appreciate my unwillingness to be associated with a delegation whose motives are suspect."
"Finally, I wish to draw your attention to the fact that the legislation proposed by the Government, apart from the question of communal franchise, is a Natal question. The Natal Indian Congress had decided, long before the idea of a South African Indian Congress Conference was mooted, to send a delegation to India. This resolution still stands and in view of the decision of the South African Indian Congress not being in conformity with it, and being taken in the full knowledge that such a resolution existed, I can construe the action of the conference as a refusal to co-operate with the Natal Indian Congress."
Flying to England next week
The South African Indian Congress delegation to Britain will leave on Saturday next, 23 March by air.
There have been additions to the delegation which was decided upon at Cape Town. The following will leave next week: Mr. A.I. Kajee. Mr. Ashwin Choudree, Mr. P.R. Pather, Mr. S. Paruk and Reverend B.L.E. Sigamoney. Mr. A.M. Moolla will join the delegation later in England. Dr Dadoo, The Leader understands, has not yet made a final decision, and the question whether he will go or not go is still n abeyance.
Mr Choudree to advise at UNO
Next week Mr. Ashwin Choudree, who led the South Africa Indian Congress delegation to England, will leave the Union by flying.'' boat on the first stage of his journey to America and the UNO, according to a Passive Resistance Council announcement.
He is going to America to provide the Indian delegate to the UNO, Sir Ramaswami Mudalair, with any information which he may require when India's protest against the treatment of the Indians South Africa under the Asiatic Land Tenure and Indian Representative Act is raised.
The original intention was that Mr. Choudree was to accompany Mr. Sorabjee Rustomjee to America. However, Mr. Rustomjee was sentenced to three months' imprisonment following a conviction under the Riotous Assemblies Act.
" Moderates" and "radicals" pursue international support
In 1946, while the "radicals" had taken over the NIC and TIC, the SAIC still remained in the control of the "moderates".
Shoring up international support was an important strategy, pursued by both radicals and moderates.
The moderates themselves were in a state of flux, some remaining Moderates, others considering seriously whether in fact, times had not changed and the way to go was the radical way.
Sorabjee Rustomjee left the moderate fold and joined the radicals. As India and Pakistan moved towards independence, the UNO became M important platform to pursue the plight of Indians. The moderates, represented by Albert Christopher, A.I. Kajee, and P.R. Pather, flew off to the UNO on the heels of H.A. Naidoo, PRC delegate. Rustomjee Mowed, also representing the PRC.
The critics calculated the cost. A.I. Kajee paid his own way, Rustomjee was rumoured to have collected between £5000-£7000 for the two PRC delegates, including himself.
The Kajee-Pather trip to India cost £4800. The PRC paid £1,500 ' towards Ashwin Choudree, another PRC delegate to the UNO.
