Indian Opinion (Phoenix, Natal), page 266: 'Natal Mercury's Comments' and 'The Durban Conference' during the coal-mine strike, 29 October 1913
A newspaper page that reprints a leader from a mainstream Durban daily under the sub-head 'Natal Mercury's Comments', then reports a conference at the Chamber of Commerce. Tells: the Indian-edited paper sets a named, European-run newspaper's call to repeal the 3-pound tax beside Gandhi's statement that the strike was continuing.
- Date
- October 29, 1913
- Period
- Pre-1914
- Made by
- Indian Opinion, Phoenix, Natal; quoting the Natal Mercury and reporting an interview with M. K. Gandhi
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Country
- Union of South Africa
- Medium
- Newspaper pages
- Issuer type
- Media
- Regime
- Botha Government
- Leader
- Louis Botha
- Audience
- Diaspora or minority
- Purpose
- Persuade or win support
- Techniques
- Testimonial
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- Internet Archive (scan by the Gandhi Heritage Portal), retrieved October 2, 2026
- Rights
- Public domain by age (published in Natal, 29 October 1913, before 1931); IA item states no separate rights
Indian Opinion (Phoenix, Natal), 29 October 1913; scan from the Gandhi Heritage Portal via the Internet Archive
Text on the object
266 INDIAN OPINION OCTOBER 29TH, 1913 majority of Natal employers are averse to the repeal of the tax." The Natal Coalowners' Association wish it to be understood that they have never associated themselves with the expression of any such view. Natal Mercury's Comments On the 23rd instant the Mercury had the following leaderette:— The strike of Indians at the Natal collieries is the beginning of a movement which must be regarded as unquestionably serious. The duty of the Government in the circumstances seems to us perfectly plain. The sole point immediately at issue appears to be the £3 annual tax, and there is reason to believe that trouble would be at an end if the Government would give a distinct pledge that the tax shall be repealed in the next session of Parliament. The tax cannot be said to have fulfilled the object for which it was imposed. [continues; not transcribed] The Durban Conference By mutual arrangement, a conference of representative employers met Mr. Gandhi in the Chamber of Commerce on Saturday last, at which Mr. Gandhi made a statement on the strike. Subsequently the conference placed itself in telegraphic communication with the Government. After the conference, Mr. Gandhi was asked by a Mercury representative whether there was any truth in the suggestion that the strike was at an end. "No," he replied, "the strike is still continuing. [continues; remaining columns not transcribed]
Read by Claude from the committed scan. The Mercury leaderette is transcribed to the end of the sentence 'The tax cannot be said to have fulfilled the object for which it was imposed' and the interview to its first sentence; ink show-through and stains make lower passages uncertain, so they are left out. Spelling and punctuation as printed.
