4174 
CHAPTER XXV. 
Need for Co-operation. 
So far as cases of this kind are concerned, we would observe that 
the need of regulation appears to us to be so imperative as to justify the 
risk involved. Looking at the matter from the wider point of view, we do 
not believe that it is to the ultimate advantage of any part of India to 
permit the working of young children, or any inhumane conditions, and we 
suggest that, where danger of the kind we have mentioned appears to be 
real, an effort should be made to obtain the active co-operation of adjoining 
States. "If the considerations which we have endeavoured to set out 
commend themselves to the people of British India, they should not fail 
bo evoke a response from the Rulers of the States. At the same time 
efforts at local co-operation will not secure any lasting solution of the 
difficulty. In discussing the merits of central and provincial legislation, 
we limited our view to the provinces. But we must point out that even 
the closest co-operation between provinces is insufficient. So long as 
there exist side by side areas in which legislation is comparatively 
backward, there will be a handicap to progress in the rest of India. 
There are, therefore, good grounds for making labour legislation both 
a federal and a provincial subject. If this were done, it would be 
essential in the application of legislation in the States to secure the observ- 
ance of the principle of gradualness, to which we have referred else- 
where. Any attempt to secure uniformity by a rapid process of levelling 
up might prove a serious bar to lasting progress. But if there is reasonable 
security against such a danger, federal legislation offers a more complete 
solution of the problem than can be obtained otherwise ; and we urge that 
this possibility should be carefully considered. If it does not prove 
practicable at present, efforts should be directed towards securing that, as 
early as possible, the whole of India participates in making progress in 
labour matters. The end should be to reach a stage when, in respect of 
the leading labour laws, recognised minimum standards are applicable 
throughout the whole of India. 
The States and the Industrial Council. 
In our discussion of the Industrial Council, whose establishment 
we recommend, we limited our view to British India. But we believe 
that, for those States in which there is appreciable industrial development 
and which desire to co-operate, the Council would offer a suitable channel 
for co-operation. It could be enlarged and adjusted to admit of their 
representatives. It will be necessary to recognise that the difference of 
standards between British India and Indian States will for some time pre- 
clude uniformity in new laws, and it might be necessary for the Council 
bo consider separately proposals for British India and for Indian States and 
bo leave the final voting on such proposals only to representatives of that 
division to which the proposals are intended to apply. We feel sure that 
any States which are willing to co-operate will be equally ready to agree 
that the conclusions of the Council on legislation should automatically 
receive early consideration at the hands of the competent authority within 
the State. 
A fi aed (fry