LABOUR IN MADRAS 225 as I believe they will, then I do not see how we can reconcile these two points....I think the trade unions will claim a certain right and privilege to speak on behalf of their labourers in the settlement of any disputes that arise. Do you contemplate the development in India, whether for good or bad, which has been so marked in Europe, of the general interference of the Government in the settlement of labour disputes ?... I hope that we may not come to such a point, and to sa feguard that, as I pointed out in my memorandum, we are already, at this very early stage, building up what in Madras we have called a Labour Board, where we try to get the representatives of the employers and the representatives of the trade unions to come together and work independently of the Government. As I suggest the Government might limit their action to the creation of such Labour Boards. You say that in the Bill before us you find no attempt to introduce any measure of reform which will give the labourer any voice in safeguarding his own interests. You mean by that that the Franchise proposals are not such as to give him a representation ?... Yes. You know that special representation is given to Indian commerce through the agency of the Indian Chamber of Commerce?...Yes, but I may point out that I am not here putting forward a claim on behalf of the Indian mercbant. The Indian landlord is a capitalist, and the Indian merchant is a capitalist also. You say is there any way to bring the Indian labourer into power, you mean power to deal with his own interests ?... Yes. You say that tbeir politicial instincts are clear and 15
