W-k
NATAL INDIAN CONGRESS(FOUNDED BY MAHATMA GANDHI IN 1894)
AGENDA BOOK
EIGHTH ANNUAL PROVINCIAL
CONFERENCEheld at
DURBAN
on
25th. 26th & 27th MARCH, 1<|3 ^: : \ :
Opened bvc j_- -i ^ >
REV. ESTHER TREVOR HLDDl'PstOV u >(( haiiman, ^eslern Area* Protest Cormml tee, Johannesburg)
I I r a d q u a j ter«:
112 LAKHANI CHAMBERS
2 SAVILLE ST.. DI-KHANPHONE 22643
P.O. BOX 2299
< s >
A G E N D A B O O K
SECT JOT' 1:
SECTION Z :
SECTION 3:
OF THE
0TK ANNUh L PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE
OF THE
NATAL INDIAN CONGRESS
C .Q .N .T .E .N .T .S
(i ) List of Bunnod Leaders
( i i ) List of o f f ic ia ls And Coppittoc yopbors
( i i i ) agenda of Conference
(iv) Messages to Conference
(v) Standing Orders
(ViPvn T P)
(page 3 )
(Pages 4-5)
(Pu^os G-lO)
(pages 11-14)
(i) Andros9 of Welco«o Mr. V. Lnv.-roaco
(ii) O fficial Opening Addros3 Rov.Father Trovor Hudllr-pf .'•n
(ii i ) presi-’enti-.1 address Dr.G.M.Naickor(Road by: D r.k.N .Fadayachoo) ■
(p.ngos
(Pag a l r'-18)
(pages lJ-?3)
^BCRETARIrtL REPORT:
(i) Pol itical
( i i ) Houring Sc Civic Arno nit ies
( i i i ) Education
(iv) Laiftur
(v) Organisation
(Pagos 24-?7)
(paz e g 28-30)
(Pa?cs 31-35)
(pa^C3 36-33)
(pages 40-43)
WE SALUTE OUR Page 1 .
B A N N E D L E A D E R S
South African Indian Congress
NATAL:
Dr. G. M. Naioker M. P . Nai.ck.er F. Meer J. N. Singh Debi Singh (WPoimenIsr'ail Moor Casein Arra A .I.Meer
S.V.Reddy
TRANSVAAL:
Dr.Y.M.Dadoo A.M. Kathrada R .H . Desai
I,- Bhoola S . Naigar Nana Sita N. Than fir ay
G.Sooboo P. Joseph Maulvi ’ . Cachalia
nfrlcan National Congress
1]*% r tvL c
Chief H .J .Lutuli P. H. Sinelane T. Gv/ala M. B. Yengwra
TRANSVAAL:
J.B.Marks M.Kot ane W .SisalaD. Bopape J. Mavuso M. Seperepere
N. Mandela 0. Tar boD. Tloome G. SibandeE.Mot scaled!
Dr. D. Mji Dr. H.MotlnnnD. Nokwe G. MaokaG. Ngake
F . Eoshiolo J. MotPhabiI . MoupakweF. Morris
A. Kunene
CAPE :
J. Matthews R.Matji 0 . Mphetha D r .J .L .ZDr.S.Molepa T . Ngwonya A.P.Mati NjongweJ. Ngwevela G. Tshune L .Phillips . R.whlafca
Soutn rtfrlcan Congress of Dq^crats
^ANSVAAL:
V .C . Berrange Percy Cohen Rica HodgsonH. V*olpe S. Rosenblat C. Willia/ns
A.Fischer R.Bernstein Eli '.Veinberg M. Narpol
LipnanG. Routh
Ruth First Hilda Watts Issio 7/olfson « . P .O ’ Dowd L . BakerE. du Toit
Joe Slovo Jack Hodgsona. Salby M.Mailer L.Joffee K. Kaplan
HiiTAL:
Roley arenstein.
CAPE:
3 . Khan BL. Warden JB. Lan FK. Gelvan
P. Alexander to. Batcher Dr. J.Sl/nons
W. Kodeeh B. Turok 0. Coe.
South Hfrlcan Coloured Peoples* Organisation.
TRAM3VAAL:
James Phillips .
CAPE :
Frank Marquard Hettie McLeod
P A N I 3 H E D l e a d e r s .
M. B. Yengwa A.S.Gwentshe J . M. LengisiG. Sibande
\
3.
P R B 3 I D E N T
DR. G. m . NAICKER
VICE - FRESinPMTg
aCTIfJG GENERAL SECRETARY
N» T. Naicker
JOINT HON. TREASURE P .q
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The following officials and members of the Executive for 1954/55 were banned:and were SflffPfll 1 nd_ tn
Dr -M. N.Badayachee
V. Lawrence George Singh " • 3 . M .Filial
G.HurbansChoudree
Hassan MallK. Moonsamy Dr.A.H.Sader R.RQjkumar
B .S . Naidji3. M. Mayet.
Mrs. Fatima Meer (Banned)
3. V. Moodley Ebrahim Seedat Ismail Ganfeat
M. A. Khan Jack Govender
h . PillayD. A. Seedat Sam Pillay
G. Pillay -illy Nair.
SECRETARIAT
Hassan wall V.S.m. Pillai K. Moonsamy D. A. Seedat
Dr. Jd. N.Padayachee
I . C. Meer (Vice-President) N. Singh( » ♦* j
Debi 3lngh (General Secretary)M. P.Naicker (Organising
Secretary)
4.
jgT sissinw .
«^^BR*N083 DA55NDA
7_> 30. p.jn
Bharat Hall, 1 3 7 Prlnoa
Wward StreetDurban,
1. WelcOM to delegates - Kr v!r,l ; • ^ ^ ‘Once(Chairman: Reception c m , , ,
2. Offlolal Opening _ Rev F * h „Rev, Fat her Trevor Huddleston
3- Presidential Address - Dr G u „ <u. M. Naicker
4 Fratprvi ^ Dr-“ -Na» n«ayachee)* Fratem a l Speakers -
5. Messages to Conference - K . M ooasa^.
6 * VotQ of* ThanksMr« S . M. Mayet.
7 - Motion for Adjournment of C o n f e r e e .
2nfl_SBSsiON:
VENUE:
Conference win aaj0Urn and r° 3 ^ 9 at g. 3Q .Pp
SA-7 tTDAY 26th MARCH,3 9SS
Mart ressa Anju^an Islam Hall -- --- Pino Street -
• Provisional Report of Credentials C o . i t t e e
2. Adoption Of Agenda nnd standing orders
3. Election of Resolutions Co„Mttoo.
4. General Secretary.,, AnniiQl Report_
5- Roport of Credentials Co-wlttea.
‘ 10 ry ' 0 RpP ° r t ,
g-3Q.PM.
Durban.
Conference adjourns at 7.30.?!” . and resumes at 9 .3 0 .am on Sunday-
27th March,1955.
3rd SESSION: 3UTITaY - 27th MARCH,1955 - 9 .3 Q .qg,
VENUE: Ma^reaaa Anjuman Islam Hall----‘ ____________Pine Street-________ Durban.
1. Provisional Report of Credentials Commit tee.
2. Continuation of Discussion of General Secretary’ s Report and relevant resolutions.
3. Nominations: Officials and Executive Members.
Conference adjourns for Lunch at l .p .m . and resumes at 2 .PM.
4th SESSION: SUNDAY - 27th ggEgH.1955 - 2 .p.m.
1. Jt . Treasurer's Statement and Audited Balance Sheet.
2. Discussion on Treasurer's Statements and relevant resolutions.
3. Amendments to Constitution if any.
4. Election of O fficials .
5. VVenue and date of next Conference.
6. General.
V ©.T
■Prom
From ’
From
EXTRACTS PROM MESSAGES TO TKK
8TH PROCINCIAL CONFERENCE OF THE NATAL INDIAN CCWDRJjSS HELD IN DURBAN, MARCH ?5TH ’ 26TH and 27TO, 1955. ’ ° *
• U. N. ^hebar,
EcefllflfilU-' Indian Natlnm l Con^pqg. INDIA.
"On behalf of Indian National Congress I send you
o ^ t ^ ' r ^ V ” '1 ? °?a wleheB 011 occaselon t Annual Provincial Conferer.ee of the
Natal Indian Congress. The Intimidation, oppression
A ?r ,r «PS r SlSn that 8re g0lng 0,1 at nr-seni In South of non whTf b* ° ome °hronlo. I* is brutal perseoutlonthe world W f ee,,t,? wave of resentment throughout the world. We are all anxiously watching the
Hlst°ry bears witness that such a situation has never been tolerated for long. W* are
a w a £ L !S a« ^ he suPure86ed People of South Sf r! ca have a Centur*y-oia bondage and have arrayed
vou aro0^G^ S af al;?st injustice. »e are sure that If ™ determined and are able to carry on In anon-vi&lent manner you will succeed Just as we did in our country. Wenaseuretthe Conference our full
support in Its struggle for fundamental human rights. we wi 8h your Conference all success.
The Secretary-,
Kf^grflt lPn pf DpmocraMn BUDAPEST.
In the ramp of 85 millions of voung men and women who strongly believe In a better life In a world of pe*oe and understanding, and struggle for Its realisation, we ar° sending you our greetings.
At this moment wh°n a world wide campaign Is being launched at the Initiative of the Bureau of World eace Council against an atomic war, we particularly
welcome and support your fight for freedom and democracy. Your struggle Is an Integral pari of this noble battle waged to-day by poacp loving pnorle to ban the us~ of atomic weapons, to have the deathly atomic pllnS destroyed, to lessen International tpnslon and bring about negotiations to solve the International problems.
"jje are confident that you, as well as all the peoples of oouth Africa, willbbe successful lr realising the way of life you desire, a llfp of fropdem. democracy ana peaceful oo-oppratlon with other nations.
Fenner Brockway, M.P.
Shalmni, M-£3Egn.griiL.£ar. Qcioniai Freed on. i-onpdv.
I send you th is greptlng from far r.way AmPrica where
V * u e 5 “ * * canr,alfp ln g for six weeks or, the subjeot of tht^ fre<jd->m of U lr ic a . Ycu can be sure that this
message of good w il l and encouragement comes not only fron me and ^ur three m illio n adhprerts 3n England but
from thousands of people lr, America wh< .re angered' bv the hum iliation from which your people and the A frican
-7
feeling cf solidarity w u h 7 11 bp aWith a h g o o d i “ £ „ f lth y0U ln m r struggle.
Sanpr Colllrs. T/wnr.M
efforts”©? the I n d l a ^ a n d ^ M*y ®UCG° 8S crowi the by non-viol™? moa™ ??* * frlca" p r e s s e s to br^ak,
^outh Africa of whit a dorilratlS? ° V" ™ n-v‘ur°*™T,e In establish, by your non-vloi^r ^ . may you hel? and intolerance rarlai ' eslstance to Injustice
, racial harmony and racial co-operation
Africa onlybwhJnSth^f Pr&Cr ^ haDnlness In ^outh of ^quality of status nf T intercourse on the basisbetween all °outh rlc^ne1™?)!^ tn^st and of goodwill o a rt lc u ia /r o M c i t r i c a r s , Independent of the
b-lon* A ™ aiSc?S?S*t-fn WhlSh th“y ” ay hat’Pf'1’ t0of race besides arl Dr".>udl0 ‘‘ on groundsunhappiness and ™ 2? " 3b?nl™ « o n , a 11s to man’ s
and disaster triumph. ° V ltlons ln whlch violence
t u ^ T s ^ n o mt y, He * u > -Of non-violence and r thn\ V ° th^ p r in c ip lerace . YOUr have a r <*«a ndless of
our have my deep respect and support ."
S lE “ frlnnn National CffngrpHRr N^tAl
WTho Afrlcan National Con^rpss Nat-ai „warmpqr frfit-Qn«0l ^ n g r e s s , ^atal, sends you Its
8th annual P r o v ln o ? £ l '£ o n fe r ^ c ^ ' ° C0asSl01’ of ^ ur
p e o v u ilrst? lo ? ;fl195? ' Wt;rn th" Afrloa" “ 1 Indian 1 ti 5 " Jointly launched their cn'npaic'n ai?aiTiat
0b > t l v e, ’ o f V T ^ 5 ° n5 a lcn^ Wfly towards our Front broad, democratic antl-Nationaliat
Africans ^h ro u ffh ^h 1^ 1®” 8 ’ Kuru^ eHTls> colourede a»a 1 thr?u* h th* lr respective organisations are
K?2I l™IouthAfrloa: ■ IU<‘ ' " * » « < remoc^c/6
e ^ S p e S a t £ ! * « S j wh\ Pe° PJ ; 18 3 llvln* S)"“bo1 of th»ac o n t ? f w i » and we h2pe that your co n fe ree willI t s U m In S tcwar? 8 the success cf the C.O .P. and Its aim to draw up a Charter of Freedom for ->outh Africa,
"We sincerely trust that your Congress will emerge
w l l l ^ t ^ * - ^ CorifererK3e and the decisions taken
"I-’reelom Jn o ^ eu?e?ime'-°Ur h°Pe' ^ asPlratto"« ;
MAYIBUYJC! a pr jk a j
Inkululeko % esikhathl Sethu.'
roaj:8,
F r o a :
■Indian W h ^ < , 7 “ “ “ " ““ “ ^ ' nnual C o r f ,« ,nce. eartl* « greetings to your
■'■■mass's, sjx.sr- - «Ho,^ Lee-Ward^n( M.p.
a „ essag(, of „ £ * T the Natal Indla£
"*»y your d e l l w . M e n c o u r a g e .
a-vssw E 5 » S * *
oI
»u ...... .........JOHANN v.s R r q® wish to tairo
.r r wishes"„ ^outh A frlonr, T coriferenoe.for the eatflhn u Indian Coni?rpSS wn
C - ^ o U a - a i - ; - o f the^outh Ifarlor* T Slble
support. ha^ « « » T . enjoyed H s ^ o l e h ^ t e d
”we are confident
liberatlonf * « » » • a grdat“ 1th slncer- peaoe and
Jhe Editors,
send fraternal
? « « - . ™ a l ° t : i r i r ° ‘ * ? * t i hi £ £ r s P " « .Jndlan pPOn]P fu your efforts t-n ” aian C°™?ress. South * £ ? £ ? *» noble B t r ^ | let0f0° ^ : e the
^0W pTf* dpq 4 f
toPdrlve J * ? ™ bers «
thl
— - * 5 5
S r h a ^ C °C °r" tary*— MjRhjpoj Inrl*a~ Ra .IV lhll-cin n^ f .............• -fj ~~ - m V, r ■- 1 £ *»
. . . 9/
?rom:
From:
From:
From:
From:
6 )
Hon. ^ercral S-=crotary,
ha t Si i r r i l a r ^ a c h e rK 1 SnCi. ,» v . DUHEnN.
My ^cclety wishes the Conference every success, y y°ur fight for the under-privileged in this*
?roWned W^th a11 w o o f S that It so rightly deserves.
Acting Secretary, jJ'^ed E.Patel,Transvaal Indian <?■«■ U ’e°r»r tvt ..
On behalf of the Indian people of the Transvaal I take pleasure in extending warm greetings and good wishes to the Natal Indinn Congress on the occasion of its 8th Annual Provincial Conference.
’’Since your last Confe-r°nce many events have taken place. Your leadorr hivo been silenced and removed the Advonce, mouthrior.j of the people was banned * the people of the Afpsiarn Aroas have been forcibly moved. But in the fcu1 e of these attaoks against the liberty and frc- ,v,*n of the oppressed people we have demonstrated ou~ -oMdarity and determination to call a halt to ratio* Iv-l, tyranny and oppression. The most significant' cvvsat. has been the campaign for th© Congress of th6 Pcoplo which h&s g&inod grecit momentum.
"I am certain that at this most critical time in the history of our people, we will stand together end w in be prepared to make great sacrifices.
”1 wish your Conference every success.Forward to the Ccn.froosof the People.
Mayltuya Afrika: "
9.
Branch Secretary - Food & Canning Workers' Union PORT ELIZABETH.____________ _________________________________
"We wish conference ov-ry suecess in its deliberations for Peace and Freedom’*
Port Elizabeth Branch,Congress of Democrats -____ Port Elizabeth.
"We wish to convey our sincere wishes for the success of your 8th Annual Conference on the 25th.26th and 27th March, at Durban.
"Your organisation is one of the many which have suffered the loss cf prominent leaders through bannings by the Minister. T,ot us in the faco of all these attacks on the froodcm of our people continue the struggle for P^ace and Freedom in our lifetime."
Textile Workers’ IrCuftriol Union,Port Elizabeth Branch - i vrt RTlzaboth.
"The Offic ials , Committee and mombcrs of tho above organisation wishes you every success with your Eigth Annual Provincial Conference on the 25th,26th and 27th Maroh,l955.
"Wo are with you in the struggle for Froodom, Peace and Justico. Forward to Froofom \
i
National Union of Laundering,Cleaning, and Dyeing Worfcors - Port Elizabeth.
"'tie wish the delegates and the Conference every suooess In the struggle for freedom"
STalJDHJG RU LL- r
CI_DER QF BlSTCT.gg.
* ' ' * ’ »
'"■ m ? i o n ? ° U t l ' S s h o n
It shall be comoetent for anv n 1
2. (a)
(b)
The President shall
Conference, but he mZZ n ^ * < ° Y Qr a11 »ittin«s of Presidents to Dres1rt« the Vice-
Co if e ° f thS Presldent beingnabsent1fg ’ In the Conference shall elect a C h f ir ^ n ? “ Confei'0nce,
If the Chairman v/isnaq
aria 11 vacate the Cftalr f o r k'tratPQrt in lj‘u debate,he
any of the Vice-Preallent" Jo take"??,® ?M ^ P 01" '
flES& H M - 1SBKni 0y : ^ M S Place‘
limited to ten minute*? nr* *.» other speeehe>a shall
5 r . g . — '
CONDUCT ,_0r__J fflMBER3 ;
(a) h w d 1? alienee and wnenresume hia annt. 44 °*faring to sneak must
speaking^9 mUJt not lnterr^pt another delegate who is
amendment ex^ejt^?041* tWl° e 0n any ra°tion or any
(i i ) to ™ p ! y * per30nQl explanation,
( ill ) on a point of order.
NOTICES q j MQTTnM.
<“ » Tno following motions may be moved without notloe--
fill ^ ? ? po8ed «otiona.
( iiij ^ * gend* fS^tne^day dlflchar«e W question on
{( vj r S ^ ^ . ^ - ^ - under d i .ou. . lon.
(v) Motions of a of the d**>ate.
^ a majority rote ^ a n f f i
V4
&18
(b) No other motion anull be moved, debated or voted upon unless notice thereof has been given.
(o) a notice of motion shall be In writing and signed bythe competent official of the Brunch or delegate moving it.
(d) The notice of motion to rescind or re-commit a resolution passed during Conference shall not be accepted unless signed by ten delegates in addition to the proposer and
seconder.
(e) No notice of motion shall be received by Conference after a day and time fixed by Congress Executive, except with
special leave of Conference.
MOTIONS:
ft. (a) Every matter requiring the decision of Conference or of Conference in Committee shall be decided by means of thequestion put from the Chair, or on a motion oroooaed and
seconded by the delegates.
(b) * motion shall not be withdrawn except with the consent of both the mover and the seconder.
(c) The seconder to a motion may reserve his remarks till
later in the debate.
(d) The Chairman shall have power to divide a motion into several portions and take a vote on each separately,
MOTIONS NOT COMPETENT TO aMEND ;
7. v It snail not be competent to proj^nn any amendment, fro a
motion for:-
(a) Discharge of any question from the agenda.
(>) Reporting progress.(c) The closure.
r ^ j n n s NOT COMPETENT__TQ DEBaTE:
6 . The following motions shall be put without debate:-
(a) Discharge of any question from the yigenda.
(b) The closure.
AMENDMENTS:
(a) after a motion has been proposed and seconded, lmendnonta ' truy be noved and seconded, and amendments must
( i ) to delete certain words; i u ) fT'n insert or add certain words;
(ill ) To delete certain words and to insert certain other words in their place.
(b) No other motion shall be moved, debated or voted uponunless notice thereof has been given.
% it.
-------------- . / 6
V
(bj
(c)
it ^ r01— 1= ^ the question to which
pro ceed^aimult aneo u sly °u n lea^in 9 the°r ?m! ndmentfl it is desirable to d l L !5 p n f? plnlon of the Chairman
be shall suspend the debate on th» V P ? * ? } * ’ ln whl*the the conclusion of the detate on thf « I® motlon ^ * 1 a vote has been taken thereon. amendment and until
(d) After amendments have h«nn .
put the question as amended ? r n o t ^ i t r - «h!!Ucuasion unless ne haa a n ^ . . L S " i t ho turther dis-
Queatlon, in w h i c h c a s e h e ! ? ? ? i H V eb!ite cn the " “ i"
not yet addreased Conference to proceed w i T t o e 7?ta?avethe mover to reply, after which ?he ^ e = U o n « S u
hMENDK£J1IT3 TO AMENDMENTS;
10. It ahall not be competent to move an amendment to an am end™ t
RIGHT TO KHPT.Y •
m o U ^T b u ? S S V t t a t o'? un'amendmont,m0Ver ° f “ ■“b8ta" tl”
DIVISIONS:
12‘ (Q' *ae?t?onea ^ i % M ° i ? Pt®tr<i $ be Cflalr™ " "hall read the
be taken M L w t f tL £ S f ," n“ “ a “ deol« ‘» « “ U
baobe L im 1S idivlalonao f8thedio S e l .dele* ate ° r dal* « at«»
been^frivoioualy^ciaimad9 S?lnlon that a haahie decision to riae and ?? ? K T ' 1* who dlSDUte he may refuse a division.' Qre Q clear “ inority,
cannot le^ve d u r in g ^ d iv ie io n !41611 Q question 10 *>ut»
QUESTIONS h ND hTTSWHPs .
13- (3) sssria^srJ — ti-
"OMMITTEE - RULES Fnp .
14' ( a ' Committee on a
d isc us a ion ^C o n fe r e n c e so wi she a votea « “ « e r
lb> e m i t t e r to i? byCc ^ « e n 0 “ a11 ^ C0nala8r “ « e r s
( 0 ) I t the questions committed bv r w « ~ aPresident ahull take a vota L P^erenCQ are completed, the
be reported" with a L ride? J , 9t ! ueatlon "ttat progressthis is agreed to Ccnfar*nr.o I o Committee may add Tf
itself agQSln into conference and^th111 ^ 60 9haU
minuted?1*01100 Wflat tas be« & » • , »nd
“ a}f “ ot b« r” lnutedborW«p o r te d 0ln ’ thlap li3Slona ln Com" 1<; tei S h a n take note of every resolution f?I P^0S8• The S e c t a r y agreed to ln Committee and these l n k! “ and 9Ter5r amendment
Report to Conference and then mtnuUd. ” 0mb° dl0d 1" the
(e’ S5SpJo5’c S S X . S S * i s s - or prooedur0U apply t0 Conference-in-c )mmltt©e.
OmnUTTmrrrLrnn8tJB-C0MMTTTT7E.g.
15.
aCe0c u ir a n d % rLf?LnnL mr e eH f ° r dlS0'! — /orIt shall then decide, with o r ^ T t h 0™* ?tee of 3u°h size qs Conference or d urln* - i J o * leave tn 3lt during final rising of Conference v / 1 j - n”^ommittee» or after the
next Conference or tho S S c J t i S e ' ’ to rePort t3 a Sub-Committee, shall nominate i K^6rf!?Ce’ 111 aPP°intlng who shall be responsible for cal "Mm* V f 1" ^ e r e o f as convenor gether when ner.ossary. * a iling the •Sub-Commltto^
0FFETJCE3:
(b)
<a) h ^ f ? 00ebn ’ t2o-?h?Me01 1 Ui ? t pro?03ed- 3ec°nded and suspend a d « * £ • & . .
il> 52» t i £ £a1e?e^d?^r?o0?heC c eS:e ““«*< U ) bahnvlour?a8lr ° bn° * l0US t0 Conference by his
Brunch^vhlc^h^representa S i n " 24 hours- theby telegram asking it to acpoiJt an ??tlflei3 immediatelypresent it. Conference-i-i £ n0mber to re-power to suspend, thoush C ? n S « 1 not have
cuss the matter in CnJS& f.S'SnTE “ ? ^IV° “ * '
CH.iIKMiirj*S RUI.T»lfl«
procedure"?? Confer^— ^ ^ n o t ^ q^ otlon relative to the
Orders, in such mannor'as ho ' s h a l l ^ ln the3e standing with the rules, form«* nt* 11, <Jeem most ln keepingAssembly of the Uni^n ^‘ h i S S5J? ? the LeSl3lative interpretation of tL 'sta ftd in i thereon Q*d on theConference by resolution S \ 8 0rr1ora a*wll be final unless othenvlse. 7 re3oluti^ duly propose ond , n , on^od SSolJJ,
17.
©aDD^ESS OF ViB LCOME
BY
X* . V. LaW^ENCE
CHalRMaN - RECEPTION COMMITTEE
Ladles and Gentlemen,
of t-ho Hntni T 0n behQlf of the Officials am’ the Executive r!' « j I n d i a n Congress I have sincere pleasure in extending
0f C0 nr c o n S « n,et t0 you delegates, representing various branches? L h L o tnJ ^ + ° Urufratcrnal ^ le g a t e s and to all n.xr guests,Annual “p ! < ? troablQ, to be present with us for our 8th annuel Provinci al Conforenco.
nor*)*nr« * Last year, I v/as unable to bo present with you.J\la f lu? surabl'> luty, on account of \,y having bolng
Jatodtnrough an accidont, Just a couple of days boforc, the oponing of tno 7th Conference.
mv fH o n ^ ».T> o , 1 V/Qn to tQke thi3 opportunity of tnanking h ' ? Mayet, who kindly deputised for me, f or t ho
ympathy he had extended tr me an^ the very fine tribute he had
of fh iS ’rSH y° Ur ?5! ’ f0r t h 0 pQrt’ 1 ha6 ln the formingof this Congress with Mahatma Gandhi.
mine o „ alas*, today, whon I look around this hall andbanner?' our loaders, both Africans and Indians, who have been
3i<zhtoflnn<5oU9? honesty, intogrity, courage and farlift if boldly and inf11nchingly, labouring fo rth o up-fv^ I ? Ur poopl° anr1 th0 establishment of a truly democratic cS™ u^lty°rfrS S e ‘ embracing all the peoples of this multi-racial
Chirf l r T„«.h n W° Qro PlQased to hear that our dear friendA .j .Luthuli, who v/as soriously ill has improvod considerably.
4 „ 4 , Wo ^eet at a time, when the whole of Christ di*irir»n»
I n o S t » 0[i°?o 0f "’ortfi “ c« i °n - This is a period generally S ’ ? in co-momoration of the forty days of fasting of our
nn th ? °fua ChJ lst and culminating in tho orucification and deathnnn^Ila n °5 8 for th- r°domption of mankind. This is a tim0 of5 1 n blessed Lord says, that unless you do penance all 1 a l likewise perish, penance like prayer 1? absolutely
y* o n 0 ’ 3 Salvatlon- The Observance of this fast is a reminder to us that in the midst of life we are ln death In all
? u, *y3> rem9n,ber your last end, thou shall sin no more t-h* thQ be8innlng of this period of £en? in ?he
? Church, the priest smears ashes, over the forehead of the
£ 21 : by " “f J 0* a* 3lgn 0f the C r o s 9 ^ the wo£ds Remember man, thou art dust and to dust'thou shall return".
* ~ 4 ~ -r , , In my address of welcome, at the 21 st <?rmth4 . c n Indian Congress Conference last year in Durban t of cnarity, without which we will be labouring in £ain ’ rTn?P °
o?Uc~eVd thf l0J ? , f ° r y° Ur f e U " w ^ e J e V c o l i a r ^ et L v ^ « ^ h h Y° U 'vll^ not be fu lfilling the command of God t n l L ? Z i* h*ouJ“ 03 thy « • ! * " . This charity is not puffed un
n ieth not, dealeth not perversely, is not ambitious, seekth
15.
16/.
u
‘ ®
not her own, ia not proToked to anger, thinkth not ovll, r * loioeth not in inequity. I f there is no charity, things will end in selfishness and raoialism. Charity is thus a purifying grace and has the power to cure injustice and hatred and create peace for all peoples of this unhappy country, irrespective of colour or creed and to insure respect for the peoples inalienable rights.It will evince the futility of group hating. It will elevate pan to an amazing nearness to God inco-operating the whole humat race into a united family. May God grant this be so.
The duties and obligations of the rulers and the ruled o are correlative. It is the duty of the ruler, to treat all the people, over whom they rule with fairness, justice and charity, without discrimination and provide them with onual op»*'n-tunH> » progress and develop, and it is the obligation of thp ruled reciprocate those sentiments of fairness and charity and show their devotion and loyali+y to the country of their birth and adoption and contribute to the peace, progress and contentment
of the whole community.
It i 3 imperative that we regard the human race, as having a common origin in God, who created man to his own image and likeness and we must accept that God has <'ivon the earth, as the temporary home of all mankind and has provided the fruits of this earth, to sustain each and every one of i1 , proving thereby that all men possess a natural right to live and develop lite.on this God-given earth without hindrance. If we realise this, thou we will appreciate the foolish futility of building artificial
barriers.
There is only one approach to the racial problem in south Africa and that should be based on the eternal truth contained in tne Koly Scriptures and on the teachings of Christ.
’There is neither Jew nor Gentle, there is neither slave nor free men, there is neither male nor female for you are all one in Christ Jesus". So wrote St.Paul to the Galatians.
Racialism is a false way of life , built on fear, hence the racialist is forever on the defensive. He who is afraid of losing the privileged position fears competition.
Once these economically expensive, social unnatural, totally unchristian barriers are rem oved, a true democratic, strength giving union, will be established wherein all groups, will only be too happy and ready to crive their '.'ull co-operation, to the common goal of building a truly Democratic, cultured peace loving and contented nation. Resolutions will be submitted to you on various aspects and matters, affecting the Non-European people, on which you w ill bo required to give your earnest consideration, carefully, wisely and judiciously.
May Almighty blessings rest upon you, in your deliberations, and may they result to the benefit of the whole community.
In conclusion, I hope your stay brief though it may be pleasant and enjoyable and at the end 01 the Con* e v e , . r e y ,u may return to your respective homes aafely with happy recollect ions of vour association with everyone you have come into contact with .
May heavens light be your guide ’.
GPJ3NI3B ADDRESS
B Y
REV. FATHER 'TR3V0R HUDDLESTON
DELIVERED IN ABSENTIA TO THE 8TH ANNUAL PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE OF THE NATAL INDIAN CONGRESS HELD AT BHARAT HALL,DUPBnN ON FRir.’y
25th MARCH, 1955.
Friends,
It hQ31a ^ e 3OTC?nea31IfngtM Utoto30nnt M a3 f ° r, the great honour
sps k - ■ ^'u 'sxrsr^
of It TBT1% i : , n? . W forp,al statement, for I mean every word
s m s s i 5 s i ' a t lnt s s ; ^ s h
genera?Ions^ P O « l b u i t l aa of'^goo^an “ S f ^ U l ^ o r ' f ^ u r r
2.U ?Sl%S3%Hf SolT-
si*Sirr"t r°. . S^J-n, the Government ig succeeding in persuading
whi supporters but large numbers of European (even manyX!2 2 r e ^ r d themselves as "liberal") that its policies are
or the real benefit of all races in this country. Thus, the Western Areas Removal Scheme is put across as a beneficent act of slum clearance: Meadowlands is an earthly paradise- those who oppose the measure are immoral and dishonest agitators seeking their own advantage. Thus, too, the Bantu Education Act is an advance in Native education: is a liberalism from the outmodedo m °f control exercised by the missionaries: is a path to
greater and wider opportunities for the African in all walks of ll-i e. Thus, again, the whole ’ apartheid' policy and the lnriementation of the various Acts which enforce it is designed
-,i-h ° ? in^Gr ? to h? lp 3elf-6evelopment: provided always that such self-development is within a particular racial area.
^ *And«” on the whole - the English-speaking press of thisr a n VQfy willing to give prominence to what it likes to *
r o i i r i i n L ? ^ T 9 afPect9 of apartheid." It soothes white u^nscience to think that the compulsory eviction of 60.000 people
averag^whlte^aouth ^ - ^ “ rance- • It soothes the it ™ S?°fi£ erage wnite South African to believe that Native Education
S ? controlled by -experts’ who -know the Native? ratherthan by hot-headed missionaries with liberal ideas it is acomfort too to tnink that the Indian problem is ?o ‘ be caJ«h? ut>
much eUaJe?rtS9eom rSr?UP ‘l™ a propo8als whl<!h " H I It eo
/18
V
#■ And - let as not be afraid of facing it - arguments are putacross persuasively enough to influence even non-European opinion towards a favourable view of oertaln aspeots of Government policy: to a discrediting of Congress: to, at the very least, an apathetic, fataliatio attitude of acceptance.
And why does this happen? Ji it not because people are all the while being deluded into" a forgetfulness of principle? This at least is what I believe. And it seems to me that the chief work of your Congress - a work for which you are pecularily well fitted should be to reaffirm those principles again and again upon which liberation alone can and must rest.
I say you are well-fitted to perform this task for South Africa because of your own history: because of what has happened in this matter in India itself : because of the great and ancient civilisation of which you are the heirs. I say also because you are South African citizens whose future lies in this country and who have, I am sure, an immense contribution to make to that future. But I want to add one note of warning. I believe that any one of us who does try to 3tand for these principles of right and Justice must be prepared to suffer and to make sacrifices. We must be ready for any amount of misunderstanding even from our friends. We must be prepared for dark days and for the temptation to despair.
But such has always been the lot of all those who would build for the future. Our reward - a reward worth nil the suffering and all the misunderstanding In tho world - will be the
gratitude of future generations.
18.
Though " the skies grow darker yetand the sea rises h i g h e r . . . , "
the darkness is the darkness before dawn;the storm is but the wind and fury of desperate men attempting the impossible.Without uny 9hadow of doubt, victory is ours.But we must be working of it I
I have very great pleasure in declaring this Congress open.
— OoO--
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
SPEECH OF DR.G.M.Na ICKER, BANNED PRESIDENT OF THE NATAL INDIAN CON- RESS AT THE OPENING OF THE 8TH ANNUAL PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE, HELD AT THE BHARAT HALL,137 PRINCE EDWARD STREET,DURBAN, ON FRIDAY THE 25th,
MARCH,1955.
.Head to (Tenfereiace by:
DR. M.N.P«*DAY*CHKR
Vice-President of the Natal Indian Congress.
Mr. Chalman, Ladles and Gentlemen,
On behalf of oar Congress, I express our slnooi-«>oh thanks to the Rev. Father Trevor Huddleston fu r Ugioolng to open this 6th Annual Provincial Conforonr>o.
One of the striking features of our Conference t M g year, is the forced absence of so many of the Congress''OU, wh-. in the past, have played an important part in setting our organisation on its present course in the nation-wide struggle for democracy and freedom. Today, the oppressed people of the country in particular, are in the midst of their struggle, and it ito only fitting that the opening address should come directly from the battle front and from one of South Africa ’ s greatest soldiers for freedom.
Father Huddleston today stands as a symbol of all that is good on the South African soil. His courageous and unswerving stand agaln?t the Western Areas Removal Scheme has given hope to millions in this land. When the Police state went into action in Sophiatown, South Afrioa and the world paid tribute to the work done by Father Huddleston and his associates in maintaining calm and peace, notwithstanding the explosive situation created by the authorities.. Although the Government and the daily press has tried to present a distorted picture of the position in Western iireas and the forced removals carried out at the point of the bayonet, we knew for a fact that what happened there was against the will and true interests of the people in the Western Areas.
It was correctly stated by a foreign correspondent that such foroed removal could have only taken place *ln Germany under Nazism. Today Western Areas remains the active battle- front for our non-violent army fighting the battle against apartheid and when we meet in Conference, we salute Father Huddleston the brave leader of this army and the thousands of ordinary mea and women of the Western Areas who form the rank and file members of the great freedom movement.
V
3lnoe we met last year the Government of the Union has taken oar oountry farther on the disastrous path of fascism, seeking to solidify the Police State, There is no other part of the world in which the lights of liberty and freedom are being extinguished at such a rapid rate while we ourselves as an oppressed group are engaged in a higher task of making our country free in co-operation with fellow oppressed and democratio citizens of the oountry we cannot bo unmindful of the great events whioh are taking place on th- iternat ional plane. We must know where we stand in world u /ia irs and help to contribute our share in matters which affect the entire mankind.
Prom our platforms we have repeatedly emphasised that internationally we have a clear and an unambigious course to follow, a s oppressed people we stand for the liberation of the whole of mankind and hence we reject totally Imperialism and colonialism. Our stand is not a passive one. We support the struggle against imperialism and wo show our solidarity in the liberation struggles in oolonial and semi-colonial countries.
History of mankind gives a clear proof that war is the instrument of the oppressor and that in all ages and all ctimes the oppressed people have stood for peace and against war. The common people of the world are not interest-^ in the exploitation of the weak; they are not interectod ln obtaining world markets, they are not interested in subjugating others in order to increase the profits of a decadent group. Today mankind yearns for peace while war mongers because of their lust for profits from oolonial domination are brandishing bofore the world, nuclear weapons. We totally condemn the atom and the hydrogen bombs and stand for their total abolition.
It is one of the most pleasing foaturos on the International scene that the country of our origin is having a miplity i^uact in world affairs. Under the wise and tried leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, India is a beacon of hope in world torn by ideological differences. In d ia ’ s foreign poi.' y today has millions of adherents, not only within the sub-continent but outside the shores of Indias
One of the focal points on the International front is Formosa. And here the stand taken by pandit Wehru is one which is welcomed by all those who are against another global conflict in the present century. In ter^s of the decision of the great powers themsolvos, decisions arrived At in the midst of the World War I I , Formosa belongs to China and China belongs to the Chinese people with their legitimate Government at Peking. It is a folly on the part of the United States of America not to recognise the great peoples Republic of China.
The Government of Mao Tse Tung has forged bonds of friendship and peaoe with the Republic of India and today Asia free from Imperialism is in no mood to tolerate outside interference in her domestic affairs. The irresistible claim 01 he Republic of China to a seat in the Security Council of the United I.at ions cannot be Indefinitely postponed. I f the nations of the world are truly seeking peace and peaceful co-existence then it is only natural tnat China should take her rightful place at United Nations.
During the past year the African continent has continued to show its determinati on in making A-rica free from Imperialism. The freedom moven>ent In Africa is growing from year to year and in
• • • */e i
\
£1.
the not’too distant future Africa too w ill tar-e hor rlahtr.n place in International a ffair* a , Asia 1 . d o l S . ^ S l a
?ni"rn?»i ° ?ontln?nt® which had to bear the brunt of tn »2P1>r? °? a? exploitation are historically bound
of Z a n b J j ^ ? r ? ? ! £°',,,on resolve to end exploitation ? , p n ’ lt 18 therefore a weloome sign that the «-eat
18th"of neit°nonthn°4h ? W W } " Bandung, Indonesia o f “ e
and the winning of f r e e d * by tn ! p e T l e T ^ s e T o h M n ^ s .
We deeply regret,but we were not sun>ri*i0d tn tt.i
qoallfy * ° partioipate at this Coherence ith a fascist Government in power pursuing its invm«
narfnh ?“ ? ° 0l°,Ur « « r l m i L t l o n PS o a t h A f r l c V X 2 ! n S ° a 'rJ?v«™ in international gatherings. Although the Union* Government has been disqualified and rlchtiu n , ,
d T r l t V r * ? ! C l a r e n c e , and thereby demcr.jtrate the iiaarity of the millions of unrepresented neonl* in f h u
country^ith the rest of tha freed0Pm l“ £ $ ! o? I m o e
s e g r e ^ io n ahas10See°;i ‘ S l e ^ y s t a l ^ c l e a r ^ n T 1* 1
Iter! lead given by the Governments of India and Pakistan on
hSre ^ \ l l \ T « L a r< l a i T 4 , by South Africans Indians whowill be resolved dlff0rences between these two oo.m*vt„s
xxx ue resolved in the very near future.
continuento%ivfihitrQ« ^ Ud? 4the decl9lon of United Nations to
ination in the Union. t0 th® P° U c y ° f raclQl dl9crim-
f 1* C^encer-ent of my address I said that Fascism has
} n our country- That is the bitter truth,how k s* nce the Nationalists came into power in 1948 measures
tto n S r t V ? ? 0^ b U U ^lnf . ° ? th0 anti-democratic foundation” ? nr result that today we have little liberty left.
a nu? bor of measures before Parliament seeking to
Union will P Z T v t0 thQ P° 4 C9 and V/ltu tnelr onoctnent thf goes with it? a Pollce 3tQte wltn Ql1 thQ tyranny which
^ in^fiectlve has been the Parliamentary opposition to the
in C a D e o w n S«orth 9 iS emphasised as Parliament meetsT? n ®?ch y0Qr* Segregation is embedded in the Union
reserved for i l v n H thU9 h?Use of Aase,nbly and the Senate Qre
$ X 0V f \ °£ T J T la te ° r r0tn" the
In the laws which the Nationalist have onarted there ha« bn«n a continuous attempt to vest the Executive and individual
l i e 1 1 1 t l * Z \ \ l Q T trary to nullify the r J L of lawn e a s T . 1 6 SUCC0oded ln their objective with such ‘t n.. a Group Areas Ma t , the Bantu Education Art v n t i v a
••••/22
22.' P « a 9ahL 0^ u n a t o ? y a4 a a a ' ^ r a » f L ? nthtne PU.b U c 3 a f ^ Aot
the Defiance of Unjust Lawq h n r ^ i * ?e greQt campaign for
Executive, pc^era to d e c id e a in the hQnds of th*laws and establish a dictatorship n L Qmergency, suspend all session has before it anotheJ T " * * ? * • * Parliamentaryprogramme for the enslSvemen? ?f the ^ i o n a l i s t 7
United Party and fo? thlt m aUeJ all vl?Un °f, S°Uth Africa‘ proved impotent and futile again*t th« « £ary Partlea have Nationalists. What else «nn?5 h! 9 ?n a la ' ^ of the
opposition when the opposition ?? 01 Q Pariiamentarydiscrimination. °PPoaition Itself believes in racial
extra- Parli^entar^a^ r o L ^ ] [ ^ i f )tththfrlCQr,fr09 1193 lnLiberation Organisations tha t thl! h credit of the nationalNationalist o L S ^ h t ? T h e I r o t / . t succumbed to the
Great Defiance CcJ^aign of 195? Sffi L , J n; , } 95°» and theour Freedom struggle for 4 recorded in the annals of
Campaign in p < i r t u l ” a “ 1 ? L " ™ J 3° UtV frloa- TLe existing and potential strength p9?pl° ' oollse «*>irNational Congress has emerged n« thf ? I a & Ca/T’^“ i « n the African
National Liberation waI™ S u e d l J bv th»eL ° f th8 3tru«ele for
Indian people, supported by European denoorato!0" ’ C° lo'Jre<1 and
n'id.at^of^iitensiv^preparations f o f t h ^ h ?2? people Qre ln thethe People to be convened in the n r n r ? f ° l the Congress ofof the Freedom Charter I mnb on future for the formulation to work increasingly with enthnoii UI*Sent call to all Congressmen Congress destined to bo ^ ^ ^ r v o u r for this historicto freedom. Let thi<a rnnfor« f great milestones in the road maximum contribution Bn?h K ^ n0? talce Tital decisions on the of Natal for the f u n m r t l M ^ T " rally ln« «>e peopleour own rteetiny in a free qof.f? ^ ° f ‘ J 13 Pl-OTl"= e *a -alcing
-hat the Congress of t t a p S S S S S S V E m S E / * ’ * fl90ntla&
Q u est io n nr t£X3k3 bGf°re this Conference is the
because of ’^Thi 3 queat:ion assumes great importanceb o d L T l n ^ ?kS rnadG by the Nationalists on all progressive
continue to ^ l Anri0a* We r"Uat 3urvlve the*e att£^ Snd have confiflenol i ° ° ura«eou3 and fearless lead to our people. I J J U (,^ ce in the fl,efl,bership of Congress to do so Tne the^/hof has rallied magnifiedUftjjr particularly after
B x IcS ^v e e l e c t e r ^ 8,H° rd? r3 99rVed ° n 30 ^ S f t £ *0l9?ted the last Conference. In a ypar of trial an*
tribulations tne present Executive with new -nen at the helm nf* affairs has creditably advanced in the cause ?or w h L ? w e^tand .
to the^roblem s^acing^helr^respeotlve^areaa3^ d ° ? ^ " fU\ly aU v e v/hifh n f , 1 xeapecLi ve areas j 'Ci take ud issuer
"C-h i -B a n t u ^ d u Q a t io n ^ ^ * ^ istrati°n Act, the Croup Areas Act, The
common roll'a?e ^ rCW° VQ Colo^re(, voters from thecountry can be ra h od ^ 9? J roan'1 whlch the entireCnnfnrnnho f, ra 4.1 led in defence of democracy and I ask
t L U d U n « r o f ° S u F S ^ r S w ^ t T i ^ V t h
23.I speak to you not in person at this Conference. There are
many other Congressmen v;ho are in an even worse situation ^
are debarred from engaging in Congress activities, leave ^ n0 attending catnerings. But remember Congress is greater tnan any individual or a group of individuals. It is an organisation founded by Mahatma Gandhi and it has a proud heritage of struggle and sacrifice .I Sail upanvyou to remain steadfast to your great heritage. I f you remain true to the cause for which Congress stands then in r*y mind I am f u l l y convince that no tyranny or oppression can ever eliminate the Congress fro achieving the ideals foT whiAh it stands.
0-
Collection Number: AD1812
RECORDS RELATING TO THE 'TREASON TRIAL' (REGINA vs F. ADAMS AND OTHERS ON CHARGE OF HIGH TREASON, ETC.), 1956 1961 TREASON TRIAL, 1956 1961
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