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.