§ 12. Colonel YATEasked who are the Indian representatives who have been nominated to represent Indian labour at the 638 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?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe 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.
§ Colonel YATEIs no representative of the working men themselves to be allowed to go to America?
§ Mr. MONTAGUMy 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.
§ Colonel YATEBut the provisions of the Treaty with Germany did not recognise the appointment of a Brahmin to represent working men?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI think, in all the circumstances of the case, he was the best representative we could find.