CHAPTER XXIV.

published after a delay which diminishes their utility. We recognise the
difficulty where provincial statistics have to be co-ordinated and recommend
 that an examination be made of the causes of dealy with a view
%0 devising a method which will ensure more prompt publication.
Mines Statistics.
In respect of mines a full annual report is prepared by the Chief
Inspector of Mines and published by the Government of India. The
report and the statistics which accompany it deal both with production
and with labour and the particular feature of both parts of the publication
 is the attention given to accidents and their causes. The statistical
 information, which in respect of labour gives particulars similar to
bhoke supplied by the factories returns, is compiled from returns statutorily
 required under the Coal Mines Regulations and the Metalliferous
Mines Regulations issued in 1926. Under the Mining Regulations particulars
 have also to be furnished regarding earnings and the Chief
Inspector of Mines publishes statistics based on these returns. As in
bhe case of factories, it is desirable that figures if possible should be
obtained annually which would give some indication of the total number
of persons employed in the coal mines. Such figures would be particularly
aseful where there is a great difference between this number and the
average number employed. We recommend that the question of securing
 such figures be examined. As we have already indicated, the
present statistics, particularly in respect of coal mines, give no indication
of the total number of persons employed wholly or part-time.
Plantation Statistics.
In respect of plantations, the issue of periodical official information
 is virtually confined to Assam. Published returns are prepared
annually by the Commissioners of the two divisions of Assam ; these
give a review of conditions relating to immigrant labour during the year,
and they are accompanied by statistics of emigration of the labour population,
 mortality among labourers, average earnings, complaints, inspections
 and other matters. These statistics, including those relating
bo earnings, are based on statutory returns which employers are required
bo submit by rules made under the Assam Labour and Emigration Act.
Particulars of emigration to Assam under that Act, are also published annually
 by other provincial Governments, but there are no regular statistics
for plantations in other provinces. As regards Assam, particulars might
be given of the number of labourers employed who do not live on the
gardens, and the vital statistics given in the annual report should
include both births and deaths. A start should also be made with the
collection of statistics relating to plantations in other provinces and particularly
 ip Bengal, Madras, Coorg and Burma. We recommend the adoption
of statutes requiring planters to furnish statistics relating to the labour
forces employed by them. To begin with, these might be confined to
the numbers of men, women and children employed, births, deaths
and earnings.