STATISTICS AND ADMINISTRATION,

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Possibility of other Investigations.
In these recommendations we have necessarily limited our view
to the industrial worker, but investigating bureaux, when ‘established,
need not be so limited. The Bombay Labour Office conducted one
enquiry into agricultural wages, and these have been the subject of
regular censuses of varying value in other provinces. We believe
that work of this kind could be co-ordinated with industrial labour
enquiries, thus securing a better return for the money expended. The
same office undertook investigations into the cost of living of the
middle classes in Bombay. Such work could be similarly combined
with enquiries into industrial workers’ budgets in Calcutta and also in
Delhi, where it should be of special value to the Central Government
in view of the large staffs employed by them in the latter city.

II. ADMINISTRATION.
Administration in Provincial Governments.

The administration of the more important labour laws has been al-
ready discussed. We now review the existing arrangements for the general
administration of labour subjects and add our recommendations for future
arrangements and for the administrative co-ordination of the proposals
already made. Dealing first with the provincial Governments, labour
matters are at present the care of a Member of the Governor’s Executive
Council, who is also responsible for a variety of other important subjects,
such as finance or law and order, labour being only a small part of his
portfolio. Directly under Government is the Secretary dealing with
labour, who is responsible to the Government as a whole and to the
Member in particular. This officer is the channel through whom
Government is addressed and issues orders, and he is also the final
adviser of Government on matters within his department, disposing
outright of those of secondary importance. As a rule he has no special
knowledge of labour subjects when first appointed, and like his Member
is responsible in different provinces for a variety of subjects such as
finance, industries, revenue or public works. It may happen that labour
questions are divided between two different departments. Nearly all
secretaries as well as their responsible deputies, hold office for a limited
period such as three years, after which they are ordinarily replaced by
officers coming fresh to the subject, the permanent element being supplied
by office superintendents and clerks. The theory is that the secretary
supplies not so much expert knowledge as general capacity, and that his
advice, combined with that of such specialists as are available, enables
Government to obtain a broader view than a purely departmental expert
can supply. Many subjects as, for example, public health, are entrusted
to departments with specialist heads, each connected with Government
throush a secretary and his department.
Labour Officers in the Presidencies.
i In respect of labour there is not usually a department of this
kind, and expert advice on labour subjects comes from miscellaneous
IQ