Page:Labour in Madras.djvu/233

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LABOUR IN MADRAS
207


207 labourers--have a culture of their own. Their power of understanding political and economical issues and suggesting proper remedies in a practical manner is well known to those who have worked for and with them. Their political instincts are clear and strong. The factor to be borne in mind is that the Indian labourer loathes the idea of slavery in any shape or form. The Indian labourers want to have schools for their children, houses for themselves, better wages and shorter hours-all as a matter of right and justice. The efforts on the part of the employers or the Government to patronise the labourers are seen as fetters of slavery, albeit golden fetters instead of iron ones. This new spirit is in evidence among Indian labourers, and it is well to recognise that even the golden fetiers are resented and the Indian labourer feels that he is not only a "hand," but also that he has a head and a heart, and aspires to come into his own. Now, how is this to be done? What weapon can the Joint Committee put into the hands of the labourer to defend himself? The only adequate means that I can suggest is the vote, Enable the Indian labourer to send bis own representatives to the Provincial Councils ; let all matters relating to his welfare and betterment be in the hands of responsible elected representatives who have the confidence of the labourer. If my suggestion made above that all Industrial matters, including the welfare of labour, be transferred to the popular half of the future provincial administration is given effect to. we shall be on the right way to the solution and we immediately have to consider the en franchisement of Indian labour.