The East Indians in Brii'sh Guiana. 65 



We, in British Guiana feel it incumbent on us to rise to the occasion ( 

 and make ourselves worthy of the great race to which we belong. 



We feel the time has arrived when we must collect our forces together 

 in one grand effort to achieve the high and noble destiny to which we 

 feel we are now called. 



The only remedy I could suggest is the voluntary emigration of 

 higher classes, gentlemen in learned professions, merchants, skilled artisana 

 and others whose social position will entitle them to respect. 



In such a case their influence will naturally be felt. We should 

 also have all the benefits of Indian civilisation. 



The present agitation against voluntary emigration by the Indian 

 Government will inevitably disappear. To bring about such a consumma- 

 tion must be the aim of the political work of this Association. Once that I 

 stage is reached we ha% T e a solid basis to be treated alike with all other " 

 nationalities in this Colony and to enjoy equal rights in the Civil Service j 

 of this Colon}'. 



Statutory equality is a necessary corollary to a well-founded scheme 

 of colonisation. 



If this is borne in mind and India undertakes to see it carried out 

 it will be a source of enormous strength in our national life, for it will 

 not be supposed that any Government will go against the wishes of a 

 community on whom the economic prosperity of the Colony depends. 



The days of inactivity are over. 



Within the next few years this new spirit will without doubt grow in 

 strength and in feeling. Education, which is fast spreading in our ranks, 

 must do its inevitable work. 



Let us appeal to the motherland to recognise and keep in touch with 

 her sons who have emigrated to this colony, so that she may look across 

 the ocean with pride at the chances that lie open to her sons and the 

 great destin}', that it is their lot to fulfil in the ordered progress of true 

 light and civilisation. 



