HEALTH AND WELFARE, 269
could be granted. Similarly, if on account of the number of claims, the
income of the fund proved unequal to the expenditure, it would be neces-
sary to reduce the periods to secure solvency. Such schemes could
operate on the basis of single establishments, where these were large
enough, and small establishments might be combined for the purpose.
Medical Attendance and Cash Benefit.

By the time the statistical material has been collected, it may
be possible for a more complete scheme to be devised. The main ques-
tion to be considered at this stage will be how far medical attendance
and cash benefits can be correlated. If thetwo were kept separate, it
would be a reasonable criticism that those workers who did not utilise
the medical facilities provided were increasing their claims on the fund
at the expense of others. On the other hand, in some cases a return to
the workers village is likely to be of as much benefit to health as medical
attendance in the city, and the keeping of the two branches of relief
entirely independent would eliminate the difficulties that would arise
if the period of leave could be extended by supplementary medical certifi-
cates.
Provision for Old Age.

Mr Joshi and Diwan Chaman Lall consider that the problem
of making provision for old age is one that will compel early attention,
particularly in the case of industrial workers. Industrial life tends to
break down the joint family system. Those workers who, at the begin-
ning of their industrial career, own a plot of land, are often unable to
retain possession, and with the passage of years the connection with the
village becomes loosened. Workers in the main are unable to save out
of their low earnings against old age. Those in intimate touch with the
life of the workers know something of the misery in which many pass
their old age. The necessity for making some provision against old age
needs no emphasis. A few employers, railway administrations and
Government Departments have made provision for some of their workers,
either by means of a provident fund or by instituting a system of pen-
sions. It is appreciated that in this report it is impossible to make pro-
vision for meeting every contingency in the life of the worker but, the
importance of this matter being generally admitted, they feel it incumbent
to recommend that, until such time as it is found practicable to institute
either a general scheme of old age pensions or provident funds for in-
dustrial workers, Government should, wherever possible, encourage
employers by financial grants or other means to inaugurate schemes of
this nature for their employees.