HOUSING OF THE INDUSTRIAL WORKER. 293 
to us that the Indian worker is generally contented with his lot and views 
with suspicion any attempt to improve his circumstances ; but the keen 
competition which takes place for any vacancy in the houses provided 
by employers indicates that his desire for a sanitary and decent house 
and an improved standard of living is greater than is generally realised. 
There is also evidence that he is willing to pay something for decent 
quarters. Although verandahs and courtyards are rarely found, except 
in the organised settlements, the general preference of the worker is 
for the type of house where such additions are available. The verandah 
affords shelter in the hot weather and the rains, and, being open on at 
least one side, enables the worker to live a partly open-air life. The 
courtyard ensures privacy without the denial of fresh air and sunshine, 
and the two together help to some extent to reproduce village charac- 
teristics. One of the Cawnpore schemes for the betterment of housing 
conditions took due notice of these predilections and to that extent, 
if for no other reason, is deserving of commendation. 
Action by Municipal Councils. 
The necessity for additional legislation need not delay action by 
municipal councils and much preliminary work can and ought to be 
undertaken by these bodies. In the first place, only a minority 
have sofar appointed qualified health officers and this defect should 
be remedied at the earliest possible opportunity, whilst municipal 
health organisations should also be improved and strengthened. 
Secondly, all bye-laws and regulations dealing with health, housing 
and sanitation should be revised and brought up to date. Under 
the existing law the duty is given to municipal councils of framing 
bye-laws on such matters, but instances are not wanting where these 
have never been prepared, and efficient enforcement of those in exis- 
tence has rarely been practised. It should be the duty of the health 
officer, under instructions from his council, to see that all bye-laws are 
impartially and vigorously applied. In particular, all applications for 
permission to erect new buildings or to alter existing ones should be closely 
scrutinised in order to ensure that the grant of permission will not result 
in increased congestion. This policy should be pursued, not merely 
in respect of dwelling houses, but also in respect of factories, work- 
shops and all other buildings. It should also be possible to proceed 
with the preparation of plans for the improvement and extension 
of areas set apart for housing schemes; this is of special importance 
where existing industries are growing and new industries are being 
established. There is every reason for hoping that Indian industry 
will make a substantial advance in the future, and a little fore- 
thought now may prevent grave evils in years to come. We recognise 
that in all these matters progress will not be easy until the social con- 
science has been aroused. But we believe that the presence within 
municipal councils of even a few leaders determined that these bodies 
should accept responsibility would exercise an important influence in 
making the community face the situation.