100 LABOUR IN MADRAS (2) That the forfeiture of one-fourth of the amount standing in the name of each weaver in the Gratuity Fund should be cancelled. (3) That full wages should be paid for the time the Mills were stopped. These demands could clearly not be complied with, and with the advice of the Union leaders the remainder joined in the issue with the weavers, and so the lock-out has become a strike. It will be observed that no grievances or complaints are mentioned, and the demands relate solely to the disciplinary measures arising from the assaults. Although the labour conditions in the Mills are admitted to be as good as any in India and although far more has been done by the Management for their work men than has been done elsewhere or in Indianowned Mills, the Union would appear to have been deliberately formed to organize labour here with a view to trying to make the Mill hands believe that Hume Rule will improve their lot. The introduction of political and racial questions into the delicate and complicated relations that everywhere exist between Capital and Labour is greatly to be deplored, and it is to be hoped that in the interests of industry some means will be found of preventing the methods that have found favour in Madras from spreading to other parts of industrial India. WORK OF THE LABOUR UNION HEROISM OF THE SUFFERERS MESSRS. BINNY & Co., have at length thought it necessary to issue an explanation of the sad situation created by their unreasonable and unjust action, which
