LABOUR ANB‘ THE CONSTITUTION, 465 
such as we have already suggested or in some other way, the power to 
exercise an adequate influence over the policy of local self-governing 
odies. 
Examination of Legislative Proposals. 
We have been dealing hitherto with the machinery for labour 
legislation, and now turn to a closer examination of the machinery already 
in operation. The procedure which has been evolved for the considera- 
tion of labour measures (and we believe it is applied to most other mea- 
sures) is interesting. After the idea of legislating in a particular direc- 
tion has been taken up by the Government of India, the subject is sxamin- 
ed in the first instance departmentally. If, after this examination, the 
Central Government favour the idea or consider that it deserves further 
ventilation, they issue a circular letter giving their provisional views 
on the subject and including, as a rule, a fairly full outline of the type of 
measure they contemplate. This letter is addressed to the local Govern- 
ments, who are generally asked to consult public opinion in addition to 
giving their own views. The local Governments then forward copies of 
the letter (generally without comments of importance) to associations 
of employers, labour unions, a number of officials and possibly 
other bodies or individuals. Some of the officials may then refer 
the letter (also frequently by correspondence) to their subordinates 
or to private individuals. The bodies or persons consulted then pro- 
reed to examine the proposals independently, and written replies con- 
taining criticism of the proposals are forwarded to the provincial 
Secretariat. They are there scrutinised and, in the light of them, 
the local Government prepares its own reply to the Government of India. 
With this reply it may forward a selection of the replies it has received. 
The proposal is then re-examined in detail by the Government of India in 
the light of all the criticisms. At this stage, as at the earlier stage, it 
may be referred to the Advisory Committee of the Legislature attached 
to the department concerned. If, after the various criticisms have been 
considered, the decision is in favour of legislation, a bill is drafted. 
Occasionally such a bill has been again referred to local Governments 
before introduction in the Legislature, but more usually it is published 
and introduced without turther delay. 
Procedure in the Legislature. 
After this, either Government or a private member may move 
for the circulation of the measure. If this course is adopted, the Bill is 
sent to local Governments (and some other authorities) with another circu- 
lar letter containing brief comments and enclosing the debates, and the 
Governments are again asked to canvass public opinion. This is done more 
rapidly than on the previous occasion, but there is no great difference 
in the selection of the bodies and persons consulted. All the opinions on 
this occasion, including the replies of the local Governments, go to the 
legislative chamber by which the bill was circulated, which is usually 
the Assembly. After circulation (if it has been agreed to) is completed, 
any bill which is of any importance, if its principles are approved, 
is referred to a Select Committee and there considered in detail in the 
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