Page:Labour in Madras.djvu/69

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LABOUR IN MADRAS
43


43 I gave them a certain piece of advice and I am sorry I was not able to be present at yesterday evening's meeting as I was engaged elsewhere. Studying carefully the situation that has arisen and considering also that I am putting before you in giving this advice, an appeal for a great deal of self-sacrifice, I still venture to do that because I know you will do what is right and just ; also because I know that you will expect from me nothing but words of truth and of justice. It seems to me that the employers at the two mills—the Carnatic and Buckingham Mills--tave behaved unfairly and unjustly in what they have done, but other people's acts of injustice or unfairness should not be our concern. We want to find out what actually is the best way for us, what is the way of truth and what is the way of justice that we shall follow irrespective of other people's conduct or opinion. Taking into consideration all the aspects of the case I give you, as a sincere friend of yours, the advice to promptly and implicitly obey the order of the Mill Manager and the employers. I understand that yesterday the order was that you should go to the Mills at 6:15 A. M. To-day I understand that the order is that you should go there at 6 o'clock in the morning. My answer to-day is that if you want to be true to your principles and ideals of the Labour Union, be present there to-morrw morning at 6 o'clock. (Applause.) If tc-morrow Sir Clement Simpson or his assistants give you an order that you shall be present at 5.30 in the morning, please see that the day after to-morrw you go at 5.30 A. M. (Applause). There are considerations here which we must weigh very carefully. Some months ago I told you that as long as