Report of the Royal Commission on Labour in India

Bibliographic data

Monograph

Identifikator:: 1850495947

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-233603

Document type:: Monograph

Title:: Report of the Royal Commission on Labour in India

Place of publication:: London

Publisher:: His Majesty's Stationery Off.

Year of publication:: 1931

Scope:: xviii, 580 S.; graph. Darst., Kt.

Digitisation:: 2022

Collection:: Economics Books

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Chapter

Document type:: Monograph

Structure type:: Chapter

Title:: Chapter I. - Introduction

Collection:: Economics Books

CHAPTER 1. moulding our individual appreciations of the position into a consistent whole. Every one who has any familiarity with India realises the danger of generalisations regarding so vast a country. Yet it is impossible to prepare a survey in reasonable compass without generalisations. While, therefore, we have endeavoured to obtain as literal accuracy as possible, it is necessary to bear in mind that it would be possible to adduce some exception to a number of the general statements made. In a few cases, we are aware of isolated employers, small groups of workers or even minor industries to which such statements are inapplicable. We believe, however, that such generalisations as are made are accurate in the sense that the exceptions are not of sufficient importance to affect our con- clusions. The Recommendations. We are writing at a time when circumstances, both economic and political, are exceptional. In the economic sphere India, in common with many other countries, is facing a period of stress. Indian industry is involved in the general depression, and many of the industries with which we are concerned are facing serious difficulties which, we hope, will soon be surmounted. With orderly progress in India, her industry should have a great future. But the present position is one of anxiety for industrialists, for many workers and for all concerned in Government. We have considered the extent to which we should allow our recommendations to be influenced by the events of the last year, and have concluded that it would be wrong for us to give these any large influence. India has the right to expect from us, not a series of recommendations framed in the light of the existing erisis, but a considered programme for the develop- ment of labour policy. As a matter of fact nearly all our evidence relates to conditions in 1929 or early 1930, before the present crisis developed. Our survey, therefore, is a survey of conditions as they then stood and, for the most part, our recommend ations are framed with reference to circum- stances as they then existed. If the execution of some of the changes we advocate is made more difficult by reason of the present position, others are thereby rendered more easy to introduce. Some recommendations involve no expense, others call for financial outlay ; but, as a whole, they are calculated to secure increaged prosperity. It is sometimes assumed that good conditions for labour involve a sacrifice for industry. But, in the experience of India, there is abundant evidence to show that a gene- rous policy in respect of labour is a wise policy in respect of industry. It is not possible for India to secure a permanent advance for her industries at the expense of her labour, and we are confident that this is far from her desire. In the views submitted to us, the suggestion that cheap labour is a national asset was seldom made. On the contrary, there is wide- spread recognition of the fact that industrial activity finds its strength and much of its justification in the prosperity of all who contribute to it. We have attempted to exercise as much foresight as we can, and we believe bhat the principles underlying our recommendations are likely to abide ; but we have not attempted to anticipate the problems and difficulties of a future generation.

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