39 
CHAPTER XXII. 
attain the same standard, got much better pay than they could find in 
India. Increasing economic pressure, which, at the present time, is 
accentuated in Burma as elsewhere, is making itself felt, and the Burman 
is anxious to compete in fields hitherto left to the Indian. This is, in part, 
the explanation of the tragic events in Rangoon in May 1930. On 6th 
May the Telugu dock labourers struck for an increased wage. Six years 
previously on the occurrence of a strike, the employers had resorted to 
Burmese labour, which made no effort to retain the employment when 
the strike came to an end. This time after the strike had been in 
progress for some days, the employers offered an increase of the daily 
rate, which was accepted by the men on strike. When the Indian dock 
labourers returned to work, a collision occurred between them and 
the Burmang brought in to fill their places. For some days there was 
grave rioting, in which, according to the estimate of the committee 
subsequently appointed by Government, about 120 persons were killed. 
The great majority of these were Indians, and the Indian labourers 
were in a state of panic, numbers returning to India at the first 
opportunity. It soon became apparent that there was a demand, strong- 
ly supported by public opinion, for the employment of Burmans on the 
docks. 
Settlement of the Dispute. 
As a result of these events, and although the original parties to 
the dispute had reached a common basis, Government was forced to 
intervene, and a settlement was reached with the stevedore firms and the 
shipping companies by which Burmese and Telugu labour was to be 
employed on a 50—50 basis. This settlement followed conversations 
between the Governor and a number of Burmese and Indian represen- 
tatives. The details were worked out by a Conciliation Board appointed 
under the Trade Disputes Act ; but the resolution appointing them stated 
that a settlement “ had in principle already been arrived at” and indicated 
that this settlement involved the allocation of a proportion of ships to 
labourers of each race. The instructions to the Board were that they 
were ““ to promote a settlement on the above lines and to work out the 
details of the settlement.” We confess, in passing, to some doubt if the 
appointment of a Board of Conciliation in a manner which does not 
leave entirely to their judgment the line most likely to lead to a settle- 
ment is in accord with the spirit of the Trade Disputes Act ; but at the 
time it would have been difficult, and probably perilous, to pursue any 
other line. Since then the principles of the settlement have been car- 
ried out. There is no question that Burmese labour generally has not 
attained the efficiency of Indian labour in the loading and unloading 
of ships ; but competence in such work cannot be gained immediately. 
and those whom we examined were guarded in their estimate of what 
the future held. Apart from the question of efficiency, there would 
seem to be some uncertainty as to whether, if the economic position became 
easier, there would be adequate Burmese labour available for work of 
this kind. Burmese opinion generally is naturally in favour of the em- 
ployment of Burmans not merely in this branch of work but wherever 
possible. So far as Indian labour is concerned, it is clear that before the