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193 of an incident to which I wish to draw the very pertinent attention of the Labourites and Trade Unionists everywhere. Here it is : There was recently a postal strike in Calcutta, and the grievances of the postmen, as is generally the case with labour troubles, related to the question of improve ment in their pay. The matter, however, went to the Police-Court, and six of the "rirgleaders” in the strike were sentenced to three weeks rigorous imprisonment each, and eight others to a fine of Rs. 20 each, or in default, to ten days' rigorous imprisonment. Dealing with this particular matter a "Disgusted Briton" writes to the Statesman of Calcutta. All of these men were striking as a method of protest against that "graded salary of Rs. 15 rising to Rs. 26" (£1 to £.1, 138. 4d. per month), which they hold to be insuficient to maintain them. Belves and their families, and which is below the rates paid to men in similar positions in Bombay. If the law obtaining in India permits the infliotion of sentences of imprisonment for such 80called "offences" sa these, surely it is about time the law was altered. If the sentences were permissible under the Defence of India Aot (equivalent to D.O.R.A.), they would seem a grobb misuse of power. It is easy, on Rs. 1000 (€ 66 196. 1d.) & month or over, to damn these poor men for causing us inconvenience ; it is shameful to misuse our powers to imprison them. The rise in the cost of living in Calcotta is known to all and when these men follow the countless precedents of the United Kingdom to endea. voor to better their condition we give them ap apower that not only smaoks of dicgruntled despotism, but damos Pritish justice. whatever the law may be. CONCLUSION. The Government of India is an autocracy, The Indian Reforms under discussion in Parliament plainly indicate that the present machinery of autocracy will be maintained. The ears of autocracy are always deaf to 13