154 LABOUR IN MADRAS a legitimate cause given to you, my advice is, bear with patience any difficulties that are put in your way, but do not go on strike. You will be able to achieve that, but you will not be able to meet the second difficulty, namely the declaration of a lock-out on the part of the employers. If for any purpose your emplcyers declare a lock out, then, I should advise you to stand united and behave as you behaved during the last period of the lock-out. Only, during the lock-out stick to two substantial principles under all difficulties. If your wages are cut, regard this as a minor matter. If your holidays are taken away, regard that as a minor matter. If your hours of work are increased, regard that as a small affair. You can give way on all those points while I am away. But on two points never give way, what• ever happens. If during a lock-out, in the process of inter-communication between the employers and the labourers, an offer is made to you independently of the Madras Labour Union, refuse to recognize it. If necessary, starve ; if necessary, beg; but don't go past the Madras Labour Union, because the moment you go past the Madras Labour Union, a wire will be sent to England and then I cannot do anything, because the Madras Labour Union will not be existirg. We have gained a certain recognition of the Union during the last lockout. Don't lose what we have gained by a sheer hard fight of nearly a fortnight. If you stand by that, then a second proposition will be put to you, and that also you must resist i and that will be: “ We will recognize the Madras Labour Union, but we will not recognize persons who are not labourers but who happen to be officials of the Union. Take away Mr. Wadia as President, take away
