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LABOUR IN MADRAS
99


99 fire-escape door of the weaving shed was made on the Manager of the Buckingham Mill. Immediately he passed the door about 50 or 60 weavers threw stones at him from behind. Another European officer who saw the whole incident and tried to hold one of the men, was then set upon. The weavers of both Mills refused to give up the names of the assailants, neither did they render any assistance. The Mills were accordingly again shut down, with very great reluctance, as it was impossible to ignore the significance of these two attacks. On the 6th December a notice was put up, offering the weavers an opportunity of expressing regret. The notice is as follows:-- NOTICE Saturday, 7th December, 1918. "The Mill, except the Weaving Department, will run from 6 A.M. till 12 and a full day's pay will be allowed. Wages will be paid from 12 to 1 P.M. The weaving shed will remain closed. Those working in the Weaving Department who are desirous of expres sing regret for recent misconduct and who are prepared to signify their willingness to resume work and obey orders may register their names between 7 A.M. and 9 A.M. By doing so they may enable the Manager to decide on a date for reopening the Mill. The weavers will be paid on the regular pay day for this department, namely, Saturday the 14th December." Instead of an expression of regret being made in response to this Overture, a deputation was sent to make the following three demands from the Management : (1) That the weaving jobbers recently dismissed should be reinstated.