210 LABOUR IN MADRAS ... 27 ... 30 this figure of Rs. 15 per month may appear very low. May I draw their attention to the following figures taken from the Indian Industrial Commission Report : Specimen Wages of Calcutta Jute Mill Operatives in June, 1918, in Rupees per mensem : . Carders ... 9 Beamers Rovers Weavers Spinners ... 157 Mastries. Shifters ... 11 Coolies ... 13 Winders. 18 Specimen Wages of Bombay Cotton Mill Operatives in 1918 including a War Bonus in Rupees per mensem :Drawer (card room)... 23 6 Rover 24 1 Reeler ... 17 4 Doffer ... 19 10 Warper ... 40 8 Weaver ... 46 18 In Madras the wages are much lower than in Bombay, and I have, if the Committee wants it, a complete Schedule of wages paid in the well-managed Buckingham and Carnatic Mills. The wages clearly show how necessary it is to give the factory labourer the power of the vote, so that his battles may be fought in the Legislative Chambers by his elected representative. It is difficult to say how many factory labourers could thus be enfranchised; but the authori. ties can produce statements of how many earn Rs. 10, Rs. 15, Rs. 20, and so on in different provinces, and that would be a guide to the Committee in considering the sug gestion that I am making. II My alternative suggestion brings into play both election and nomination methods. Every factory employing
