§ MR. O'DONNELLasked the Under Secretary of State for India, If his attention has been called to the provisions of the Darjeeling Coolies Bill in which unlicensed Coolies are forbidden to work for hire, and licensed Coolies are obliged to work at such rates of wages as may from time to time be fixed by the municipal authorities "by beat of drum;" whether these provisions render compulsory upon Coolies the acceptance of such rates of wages as may suit the employing class from time to time; and, if there is any appeal in case the rate of wages thus fixed is found insufficient by the labouring classes affected by the Law.
§ MR. J. K. CROSSSir, all Coolies working as porters, or "dandywallahs," are required by the Act recently passed to register themselves in the books of the Municipality, receiving thereupon a licence, for which no charge is made. Those working by the job, or for any period not exceeding 24 hours, are to be paid according to a tariff fixed by the Municipal Commissioners, and sanctioned by the Government of Bengal, which will, of course, see that the scale of remuneration fixed is fair and reasonable.