§ 3. Mr. KELLYasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can give any particulars of the disturbances 850 at the Rhoni tea estate, near Kurseong, in May?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Earl Winterton)My Noble Friend has received a report that on the 11th May about 600 out of a total of about 4,500 labourers employed at the Rhoni Tea Garden, near Kurseong, Darjeeling, struck work owing to the new manager of the garden endeavouring to enforce longer hours and to cut down the men's wages for bad work. The strike ended on the 15th May on the intervention of the Sub-Divisional Officer and the Additional Superintendent of Police, Kurseong, at whose instance a compromise was effected and the men's demands in the main conceded.
§ Earl WINTERTONAs far as I know, no one was injured, but, even if there had been, I do not think it would be reported to us; it is purely a matter for the local authority. These were certainly not serious disturbances.