To see Indians, apparently respectable, kicked, pushed, and sworn at by the station-master is not an extraordinary sight on the railway stations. On the tram-cars the Indians fare no better. Spotlessly dressed and well-behaved Indians have been pushed about from one place to another to suit the fancy of European passengers. Indeed, as a rule, the tram-car officials compel Sammy to go upstairs . Some would not allow them to take front seats.
Respect is out of the question.
An Indian official was compelled to stand on the tram-car board, although there was ample room to accommodate him. Of course, he was addressed as Sammy in the peculiarly offensive tone prevalent in Natal. As to the unwillingness of the Indians to avail themselves of the return passage, I beg to say, with due deference to the Agent-General, that the statement has been repeated ad nauseam in the Press, and the official dignity now given to it will not enable it to prove more than it actually can. I am prepared to admit both. That does not, moreover, disprove the existence of the Colonial legislation restricting the freedom of the Indians in various ways.