Page:Labour in Madras.djvu/167

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LABOUR IN MADRAS 141 If there is no agitation raised by the citizens of Madras as a result of this trouble arising out of the strike? We may as well propose that the Tramway is absolutely unnecessary for the city and may be abolished. If on the other hand Tramway is a necessity to the civic life of Madras, then you ought to speak out your minds, and the public ought to take the initiative in the matter and raise an agitation which will compel the Municipality and the Government to take steps and bring to a close a strike which, in my opinion, from the point of view of the men is wholly justifiable. (Applause.) The second public meeting was held on the TriplicaneBeach under the Presidency of Mr. S. Kasturiranga Iyengar, on April 3rd, 1919, at which Mr. Wadia moved the following resolution and made the following speech. Mr. President and Gentlemen,-The resolution which is committed to me runs as follows: The Citizens of Madras in this public meeting as. sembled once again express their keen regret that the Tramway Company has not yet seen its way to satisfy the reasonable demands of the men on strike and requests the Government and the Corporation to take immediate steps to bring about a settlement. As you are aware, Gentlemen, for the last three weeks in this capital City of the Madras Presidency, a scandalous spectacle of inefficiency has been displaying itself. Those of you who are constantly using the tram service must know from experience what some of us do not know, what hardships and inconveniences the stopping of the tram service has entailed. But to me the more important factor is the suffering of the Tramwaymen whose demands have been very rea