International Labour Conference.

Oral Answers to Questions — India. – in the House of Commons at on 29 October 1919.

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Photo of Colonel Charles Yate Colonel Charles Yate , Melton

12.

asked who are the Indian representatives who have been nominated to represent Indian labour at the International Labour Conference at Washington; on what grounds they have been nominated and by whom; what representations on the subject have been received from people's unions, working-men's federations, and such like institutions in India; and what consideration has been given to the wishes of the Indian working classes in this respect?

Photo of Mr Edwin Montagu Mr Edwin Montagu , Cambridgeshire

The representative of Indian labour is Mr. N. M. Joshi. Mr. B. P. Wadia accompanies him as his technical adviser. At a meeting of Bombay mill hands the Viceroy was asked to nominate a representative for them, as they were unorganised. He thereupon selected Mr. Joshi, who was acclaimed as a fit representative of labour at a further meeting at Bombay. Mr. Joshi is a member of the Servants of India Society, and has long been known as a disinterested and zealous worker in the cause of labour in Bombay and in touch with many types of Indian labour. Mr. Wadia received the support of some trade unions and gatherings of workmen mainly at Madras, and he was therefore selected to accompany Mr. Joshi as adviser.

Photo of Colonel Charles Yate Colonel Charles Yate , Melton

Is no representative of the working men themselves to be allowed to go to America?

Photo of Mr Edwin Montagu Mr Edwin Montagu , Cambridgeshire

My hon. and gallant Friend will realise that in the present condition of organised labour in India it was very difficult to ascertain who would be the best representative, but we did our best to conform to the provisions of the Treaty with Germany.

Photo of Colonel Charles Yate Colonel Charles Yate , Melton

But the provisions of the Treaty with Germany did not recognise the appointment of a Brahmin to represent working men?

Photo of Mr Edwin Montagu Mr Edwin Montagu , Cambridgeshire

I think, in all the circumstances of the case, he was the best representative we could find.