Page:Labour in Madras.djvu/133

107 have discussed them with me; he chose the course of not acknowledging the letter and allowed things to drift. The first Lock-out, a few weeks ago, was unjust, but the men went to the Mills because I requested them to do so. I did so because I do not believe in strikes and want to avoid them as much as I can. The result of that was reports from labourers of worse treatment which seem to have provoked some to resort to assault and while I blame those who are guilty of the reported assaults I cannot help conjecturing that they might have been led into hasty action under provocation. I do not believe that there has been any organized attempt at rioting or assaulting ; on the other hand the misdeed was done on the spur of the moment. EUROPEAN OFFICERS There is little doubt that the European officers of the Mills have not been straight in their treatment of labourers. Let me give two definite instances. 1. Mr. Alfred Alexander, Manager of Buckingham Mills admits in his application number 9362 of 1918 in the Pr esidency Magistrate's Court, Egmore: "As the complainant was leaving the department, he wilfully stopped and looked round presumably to see if others were following. It was then I turned his head and pushed him along but not with force." II. Mr. F. S. Southworth was charged with showing temper, abusing and saying "shut up, you bloody swine,” aud giving a blow with his fist on the left side of the complainant's stomach. This complaint was filed on 30th August in the Court of Mr. Bower. Mr. South. worth tendered the following apology to the labourer.