§ 44. Mr. Palingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the hartal recently declared in Zanzibar and the policy of passive resistance adopted by the Indian community, as a protest against the Clove Bill; and whether he proposes to take any steps to deal with their grievances?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreA one-day hartal was declared, but I understand that it was not entirely effective. As regards the second part of the question, I would 2197 refer the hon. Member to my answer to him of 24th June for an explanation of the steps which had then been taken to meet Indian opposition to the new legislation. Since then a number of further concessions have been made in consultation with representatives of the Government of India; and I have reason to believe that that Government is not dissatisfied with the position. The Cloves Decree was passed in the Zanzibar Council on 15th July and the Acting Resident promised, in the course of the debate, that sympathetic consideration would be given where the reform pressed hardly on individuals or classes. I do not consider that the Indian community in Zanzibar now have any real grounds for complaint, and I do not think that any further changes in a scheme designed to protect native producers is needed.
§ Mr. PalingAre the concessions such as to convince the Indians in India that the embargo which has already been discussed will not now become necessary?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI gather that is not so. We regard it as a paramount duty to protect native interests where those conflict with those of an immigrant race, and I am satisfied that we must pursue this policy vigorously to the end.