The Daily News. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1920. LABOR INTERESTS IN INDIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1920. LABOR INTERESTS IN INDIA.

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a campaign for equal rights, a claim that is being pressed ia these days in all parts of the world. The effect of awakening of Labor in I India to a sense of its power can only be measured by taking into consideration the numerical factor. Industrial occupations there support between thirty-five and thirty-six millions of people, out of a total population of over three hundred and fifteen million, of whom nearly two-thirds are either engaged in tilling the soil or dependent on those so employed. In the metal, textile, glass, and pottery industries alone there are twenty million workers, including their dependents. These immense numbers will convey some idea of what thorough organisation might accomplish, perhaps not immediately, but in the course of a few years, though events move far more rapidly now than formerly, especially those connected with Labor agitations. Apart from the political significance of this movement to organise Labor in India, there is the economical aspect to j consider. The exports from India in 1916-17 consisted of grain, valued at £23,269,600; tea, £11,180,700; raw materials, £60,024,200 ! (including textiles £37,536,900) ; and manufactures, £47,319,500 (including yarns and textiles £36,529,000), making a total of £141,794,000, of which the United Kingdom took goods to the value of £52,270,'600, the United States £20.762,200, and Japan £17,573,700, the remainder going to various countries. These figures indicate the part that India plays in the world's production, and give some insight, into what might happen were Labor to ,use its power in controlling produce for export. It is the immensity of the population that gives this Indian agitation a significance beyond all other movements of a similar nature. Without doubt the microbe of Bolshevism is at work, and will have to be counteracted. At the same time it is evident a change is taking place among the native population that .cannot be disregarded. The,reforms in administration do not touch the masses, but they are alive to the principle underlying the changes and cannot be blamed for desiring those equal rights the claim to which is so widespread. It is no light matter to have to face a movement for organising a population of 315 millions, peculiarly sensitive to the influences of fanaticism. Apparently it would be wise.on the part of the Imperial authorities to take a hand in guiding the movement, so that it may assume safe lines, and at the same time remove grievances that will otherwise add fuel to the flames of unrest.