Page:Labour in Madras.djvu/36

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LABOUR IN MADRAS


join this Union, classes where certain other things will be explained to them, things which will be of use and benefit to them, knowledge which will be of such utility to them that they may use that knowledge for the benefit of their fellowmen. We do not want the members only to listen to us and go home, but we want them to feel with us, to study with us, to think with us and to help us in the service of our brothers. We are a few people who are not labourers our selves. We want labourers themselves to take interest and show us what are the ways and means which we can adopt to further the progress and happiness of our brothers. They know where the shoe pinches them, they know what are the troubles and difficulties which require to be removed. We can hold consultations and give such knowledge as is at our disposal but we want the co-operation, the friendliness and the brotherly attitude on the part of labourers towards us and towards those who are not going to be members of this Union. It is quite likely and natural that many thousands of people will not join us immediately but that does not matter : a hundred will do, fifty will do, twenty-five will do, or even ten will do. Ten men, good and true, courageous and fearless, bent upon doing service to the Motherland, will be able to do won ders. Number does not count, quantity does not matter; it is quality that matters, and if only ten or fifteen men will come to us and try to show us the difficulties so that we may remedy them, our work will be well begun. I have an idea that those who join the Union should pay one anna a month. I do not know whether it is too much for labourers. (Cries of No, No.) We shall be able