THE MARRIAGE QUESTION 65 to be necessary, to be of educational value and, in the end, to be valuable both to the Indian community and to the State. This step consists in actively, persistently and continuously asking those who are liable to pay the £3 tax to decline to do so and to suffer the penalties for non-payment, and, what is more important, in asking those who are now serving indenture and who will, therefore, be liable to pay the £3 tax on completion of their indenture to strike work until the tax is with- drawn. Ifeel that, in view of Lord Ampthill’s de- claration in the House of Lards, evidently with the approval of Mr. Gokhale, as to the definite promise made bythe Government and repeated to Lord Glad- stone, this advioe to indentured Indians would be fully justified. That the tax has weighed most heavily upon the men I know from personal experience; that the men resent it bitterly I also know from personal know- ledge. But they have submitted to it more or less with quiet resignation, and I am loth to disturb their minds by any step thatl might take or advise. Gan I not even now, whilst in the midst of the struggle, appeal to General Smuts and ask him to re·consider his decision on the points already submitted and on the question of the .€3 tax, and, whether this letter is favourably considered or not, may I anticipate the assurance that it will in no wise be taken to be a threat? (Sd.) M. K. Gaunm.
