29 CHAPTER II1. ’ Lack of adequate communications prevented an easy flow of labour, and lack of general contact with, or knowledge of, the cities was an even greater obstacle. In some areas recruiting was confined to a few villages where connections had been established, adjacent villages making no contribution. Finally, conditions in most centres were not calculated bo attract labour or to retain it. As we have indicated, they are far from ideal to-day ; but to the factory worker of the present time the conditions in which his father worked would seem intolerable. Future Prospect. Factory industry in India, as elsewhere in the world, is to-day less prosperous than it has been. We believe that the check to progress is temporary and {hat, given settled conditions, factory industry has still a long period of expansion before it. Communi- cations have improved steadily and should advance much further. The spread of knowledge is opening up new ground for possible recruits, while there is at present little sign of a diminution in the pressure on the land. Lastly, and most important of all, conditions in factories are improving generally. We believe that the amelioration which has been effected since 1920, by legislative and other methods, has had a large share in producing the change which has occurred. If our analysis of the factors concerned is accurate, Indian factories are at the beginning of a period of plentiful labour. Grave calamities, such as a serious epidemic, might produce a temporary reversal of the position ; but, in normal circumstances, there is little likelihood of a shortage of labour in the near future in perennial factories. Eftect on Labour. It is difficult to exaggerate the importance of the change. In the past the employers’ powers were strictly limited. The necessity of keeping their factories staffed has led some employers to do much for the welfare of labour, in the provision of housing and other bene- fits; it has also compelled them to tolerate much in the form of low efficiency and slack discipline. The new conditions, if maintained, will give to the employer a greater power, for good or for ill, than he has had in the past. At the same time they will deprive labour of what has hitherto been its main defence against oppression. While the employers will be able to insist on higher standards, the workers, if they are to maintain their position, will require to conform to these and to show more self-reliance and greater cohesion. Further, the new situation is bound to raise new problems for all concerned in ques- tions of labour administration, and to demand the adoption of a new attitude and new methods. Recruiting of Labour, So far as recruiting is concerned, recent years have seen a great alteration. When the shortage was acute, the employer had to send into the highways and byways to obtain workers. Overseers, labour rontractors and others, stimulated thereto by promises of commissions