From the book: Passive Resistance 1946 - A Selection of Documents compiled by E.S. Reddy & Fatima Meer
Report on Delegations, Publications and Organisations of the PRC
Report on Delegations
PRC Delegates to United States
On 10 July 1946, Mr. Ashwin Choudree left for the United States of America as delegate of the Joint Passive Resistance Council. Mr. Choudree's mission was to publicise the Passive Resistance struggle to acquaint American public opinion of the injustice of colour bar laws in South Africa, particularly the "Ghetto" Act, and to advise the Indian delegation at the United Nations. Working under difficult conditions, Mr. Choudree did a fine piece of work, accomplishing much during a short space of time. Owing to its postponement to 23 October, he had to return before the United Nations General Assembly met. After Mr. Choudree's return, Messrs Sorabjee Rustomjee and H.A. Naidoo were appointed delegates of the Joint Council to proceed to the United Nations meeting in New York in order to India delegation. When the UN General Assembly discussed the complaint of India against the Union government on the treatment of Indians in South Africa, both these delegates were present and kept is touch with Mrs. Pandit and her delegation. The SAIC delegated Kajee, Pather and Christopher, were also present in New to thanks to Messrs Rustomjee and Naidoo, their usual line of cooperation with General Smuts" was totally rejected by Mrs. Pandit. The delegation had complete confidence in our two delegates, WHO proved of great assistance.
PRC Delegates to India
On 10 March 1947, Dr Dadoo and Dr Naicker left for India as delegates of the Joint Council. They were received as "distinguished guests" at the All Asian Conference in Delhi and followed conference deliberations to the end. They established important contacts with delegates of many Asian countries, such as China, Indonesia, Egypt, Persia and others. They had fruitful discussions with Pandit Nehru and other members of the Indian interim government regarding our struggle and the next session of United Nations. The Doctors met Panditji more than once and in long conversations on several points, complete agreement prevailed, our delegates being greatly impressed by Panditji's firmness. Other outstanding personalities met by Doctors Dadoo and Naicker were Mahatma Gandhi, Mr. Jinnah and Mr. P.C. Joshi, leaders of the three greatest political organisations in India. Our delegates travelled throughout India, addressed huge public meetings wherever they went, under the auspices of various organisations ranging from trade unions to Merchants' Chambers. Maharajas and Communists alike warmly received them! In short, their mission has been a tremendous success and the results will stand our movement '"good stead. They returned to South Africa on 27 May 1947.
Report on Publications
Having the consistent support of only a very limited number of newspapers, the Passive Resistance Councils have had to undertake their own publications. The most important is its official weekly organ, the Passive Resistor, which will soon be increased in size.
The Flash , the unique bulletin of the Council, five or six numbers of which were issued in a day at the height of the campaign, has rendered remarkable service. Its great success was due to the artistic talent and tireless efforts of its originator and editor, Mr. Bobby Naidoo. The other chief publications directly published by the Council We the album of pictures, How We Live , and the following pamphlets:
Five Months of Struggle, Resist the Indian Ghetto Act, We Shall Resist.
Report on Organisations
Women's Action Committee
On 20 June 1946 a group of Indian women, desirous of assisting the struggle, met in Durban to form the Women's Action Committee.
This Committee has done magnificent work in the raising funds. Working tirelessly, under not very easy conditions, its public-spirited members have raised nearly a third of the total amount contributed to the Natal Council funds.
An outstanding and highly successful undertaking of this Committee was "Freedom Fair" held at Curries Fountain.
Indian Merchants' Committee
Immediately after Dr Naicker went to prison, about ten leading Indian merchants volunteered to form a Committee to assist in the raising of funds. The Council readily accepted the offer and the Committee has done splendid work, raising a substantial amount from the Indian merchants of Durban. The two members to whose unselfish and tireless efforts the success of the Committee is undoubtedly due, are R.M. Naidoo and Mr. Jalbhoy Rustomjee.
Indian Students' Committee
Young Indian students from both boys' and girls' school, especially in Durban, have played a worthy part in the campaign
Little girls from some junior schools in the suburbs formed a gifts comforts" squad and regularly every Friday brought quantities of cigarettes which they collected for the Resisters.
Many small groups of little boys and girls carried out drives in their own areas and raised quite a few pounds.
The most outstanding contribution of the students was made by the Indian Students' Committee, which consisted of boys and girls from the senior schools. Risking the wrath of their teachers and the Education Department, they organised a highly successful stage show which realised £1 000.
Canteen
Made possible by the generosity of Mr. Nagin Hargovan, who provided premises in Agnes Road free of rent, the PRC Canteen was opened on 27th August 1946.
Many Indian merchants, whose names are too numerous to mention here, donated furniture and crockery. The running of the Canteen has cost comparatively little, thanks to liberal gifts of vegetables and meat from the Indian market and groceries from stores. Its usefulness can be judged by the fact that the Canteen has to date served 26 500 meals to Resisters.
Organisation of PRC Work
At the height of the campaign the work of the Natal Council was indeed big and complex. The efficient carrying out of the numerous vital tasks was ensured by careful planning which brought into being a number of departments with a different person in charge of each. The success of Passive Resistance has been due in no small measure to these men, who left their own private work and volunteered to carry out almost fulltime honorary work for the Council. The chief departments, most of which are still functioning, were:
Secretarial: M.P. Naicker Finance: A.E. Patel Recruiting: S.V. Reddy Legal and Drafting: George Singh Information: A.I. Meer Resisters' Welfare: P.B. Singh Canteen: J. Pillay and S.M. Singh
Congress Office Staff
The departmental chiefs were ably assisted in their work by a Congress office staff which consisted of men who were not only highly efficient but (which is perhaps more important) had the welfare of the Campaign fully at heart. For them work did not begin at nine and end at five. They came to the office when there was work to start—whether at seven or six o'clock did not matter; they left
when all the work for the day was finished. It was not uncommon for them to remain at their duties till eleven or twelve at night. For them there was no such thing as regular meal hours.
New PRC Officials
When Dr Dadoo and Dr Naicker went to prison, Mr. Nana Sita was elected Acting Chairman of the Transvaal Council, Mr. Debi Singh Acting Chairman of the Natal Council and Mr. M.P. Naicker took the place of Mr. Debi Singh as Secretary of the Natal Council
When Doctors Dadoo and Naicker left for India, Mr. Nan Sita was elected Acting Chairman for the Transvaal and Dr Goonam Acting Chairman for Natal.
Present Members of the Natal Council
The following are the present members of the Natal Council: (Of the foundation members, Mr. M. Mudaliar resigned and Mr. Seedat left for England to commence medical studies, for which he enrolled before he became Council member)
Dr G.M. Naicker, S.M. Singh, M.D. Naidoo, Dr K. Goonam, J.N. Singh, Ashwin Choudree, A.I. Meer, P.B. Singh, M.P. Naicker, A.E. Patel, R.A. Pillay, P.B.A. Reddy, George Singh, R.G Pillay, S.V. Reddy, Debi Singh, and Manilal Gandhi.