Page:Labour in Madras.djvu/237

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LABOUR IN MADRAS 211 more than 50 but less than 1,000 labourers should be the unit ; all adult workers in such factories should be given the vote to elect one representative. All labourers working in factories employing more than 1,000 persons should have the right to elect one more representative for every thousand. Thus a panel will be obtained of several elected representatives; and one or two for each province can be nominated to the Provincial Councils from this panel, Instead of making every factory employing 50 persons the unit, the unit may be every Trade Union with a membership of at least half the number of the total employed in the factories in that city. Let me illustrate: There are some 175 textile mills in Bombay employing about 190,000 men. A Trade Union of Textile Workers with a membership of 95,000 should be given the right to elect a representative. Once again a Panel is obtained and nominations may be made from the Panel. The recognition of Trade Unions in this way will accelerate the formation and progress of Trade Unionism and will greatly assist India's political growth. TRADE UNIONS AND CASTE SYSTEM Working in Madras among the so-called lower castes of Hindus and the poor people generally, I have had special opportunities of gathering their views on the non-Brahmana question. As far as the Labour Unions are concerned, I may safely assert that Hindus of all castes and members of other communities, Muslims, Indian Christians, etc., can and do work harmoniously together for their common welfare, without the least difficulty. There are many members of the various