40. Mr. Palinģasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to a mass meeting in Zanzibar on 19th April, protesting against the new legislation affecting Indian traders and dealers and expressing the alarm of the Indian community; and, in view of the possibility of a large exodus of the Indian population, what steps he proposes to take to meet their grievances?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI received yesterday from an unofficial source a copy of a telegram stating that a meeting of Indians had been held on the date in question. I expect to receive in due course a report from the Acting Resident, which will have my attention. The legislation referred to has been prepared after much consideration in the interests of the whole community, and the Indians will have an opportunity of criticising it when it is introduced into Council.