THE MARBMGE QUESTION 63 In myihumble opinion,lthe letter of the 10th August, I91l, referred to in your communication, bears the interpretation I have placed upon it. The British Indian Asmciation raised the question of polygamy and the above·mentioned letter containing the assurance was the reply. In suppose you know that plural wives have actually been admitted by the Immigration: Officers and that polygamous Unions are even registered on the Transvaal registration certificates. As doubts have arisen as to the meaning of the term ‘° monogamous marriage, " I beg to record that the` meaning that the community has placed upon it is that a marriage is monogamous if a man is married to only one woman. no matter under what religion and no matter whether such religion under given circumstances sanc- tions polygamy or not. I observe that paragraph 2 of your letter seems to suggest that my reply to your last wire did not though it might have covered the other points referred to therein. 'I purposely refrained from touchingithe other points as I felt that no scope was left open for me to do so. But if General Bmuts is still prepared to consider the other points, I shall be certainly prepared to make a further submission. I cannot help feeling that the unfortunate rupture has taken place on points very vital to the Indian community but of little consequence to the Government or the dominant population of the Union. Pray always consider me to be one the least desirous to obstruct the Government and most anxious to serve it in so far as I can do so consistently with my duty to my countrymen. To this Mr. Gorges replied that the minister after full consideration had asked htm to say that tt would
