INTRODUCTION. The Political Outlook. The present time is not less exceptional in the political sphere. Our work in India has been carried on when political issues have loomed large, and, as we write, great constitutional changes are being considered. We are happy to record the fact that political controversies have not pre-, vented many who hold widely differing views in politics from co-operating with us for the benefit of labour ; and we have been able to frame the great majority of our recommendations without reference to possible changes in the constitution. The needs of labour are evident, and the methods we recommend for meeting those needs are largely independent of the nature of the government of the country. “The nation in every country dwells in the cottage ”, and the well-being of the people must be the primary concern of any government, whatever its form and composition. Our experience gives us the hope that in the India of the future the welfare of the workers will receive an increasing measure of wise thought and of generous action on the part of all who can influence their lives. : Diwan Chaman Lall desires to add that opinions must differ re- garding the conclusions to be drawn from the evidence and he regards the recommendations as the minimum which should be enforced without delay.