Page:Labour in Madras.djvu/25

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PREFACE xix Next in the solution of general problems and they are many and varied-it is absolutely necessary to recognise the fact that the old systein has broken down. In most advanced countries it is evident that the solution of labour problems by old and time-worn methods is unfruitful. It is no more a question of increase of wages and decrease of hours; it is no more a question of the utility of the weapon of strikes and lock-outs. It is a new orientation — the abolition of every vestige of slavery, of any kind whatever, from the body politic of the system as a whole, which tarnishes the life of labour ; the introduction of proper and adequate safe-guards for the control of production and of produce, economically and organically ; the full but also the only legitimate recognition of Capital by a deprivation of its power to exploit Labour and to accumulate profits ; the full measure of the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship to be secured for labouring classes as for others ; the recognition of the factor of growing importance in reference to the interpationalism of Labour. These are some of the points to be studied by our publicists. Let us not deceive ourselves with exploded theories of profit-sharing and the like ; let our legislators endeavour to lose their Indian provincialism and look abroad at what is happening-in Italy with the metal-workers, in Great