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 
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