45

CHAPTER XXIII.
work supplied in Burma supports a great number of Indians who would
have difficulty in getting a bare sustenance in India and affords substan-
bial relief to their families at home. If Burma has benefited greatly from
Indian labour, India has also been substantially helped by the provision
of an outlet for sections of her population that are hard pressed and by the
surplus of their earnings,
Immigration Policy.

All the questions under consideration are bound up with and
lead back to the question of the policy to be pursued in future in respect
of Indian immigration to Burma. On this question we are unable to
reach any definite conclusions, for two reasons. In the first place, the
question of the immigration of industrial workers cannot be considered
apart from that of agricultural workers and other classes of immigrants.
In the second place, the question must depend on the constitutional rela-
tions between India and Burma, and these appear likely to undergo a radi-
cal change. We should add that, apart from these difficulties, the ab-
sence from our deliberations of any Burman, and the deficiencies In the
evidence, would have handicapped us in attempting to solve so delicate and
difficult a question. We must limit ourselves to putting forward certain
broad considerations which will require attention in this connection, We
have noted the emergence of a desire that Burmans should take a larger
share in the supply of industrial labour. This desire is baged partly on a
natural apprehension regarding the effect on the standard of living of the
continued employment of Indian unskilled labour. It is reinforced by the
present economic conditions, which are compelling Burmans to find
employment in fields which in better times they would not enter,
and it has the backing of Burmese national sentiment. If Burma,

is separated from India, control over immigration must ultimately
rest with Burma herself. At the same time, it is by no means
inconceivable that, in such circumstances, there may be a demand
in India for some restriction on emigration. There is the possibi-
lity, therefore, of a demand on both sides for the regulation of
Indian emigration. So far as assisted emigration is concerned, we see
no objection to suitable restrictions. There is a strong case for control
over this kind of emigration with a view to ensuring that men are not
assisted to emigrate without a guarantee of maintenance for a period
of reasonable length or of repatriation. If such control led to a reduc-
bion in assisted emigration ° there would be little reason for regret;
for the existing amount of work for Indians in Burma could be discharged
by a smaller labour force, with benefit to all concerned. But it would
be unfortunate, from the point of view both of India and of Burma,
if artificial obstacles were placed in the way of the unassisted emigration
of the able-bodied or their dependents. The need of Indian labour in
Burma, which has been great in the past, may be reduced, but is
not likely to disappear in any future that we are considering. Reference
has already been made to the benefit which India receives in return,
and this benefit could be enhanced by suitable measures in Burma.
We agree with the Burma sub-Committee of the Indian Round Table