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74 LABOUR IN MADRAS the extent of one thousand new members. (Cheers.) And if more people have not been able to come as members into the Union, it is not your fault but because we have only a few people to work for the Union and take down names of the new members. The work of gathering facts regarding your own conditions of food, of health and other difficulties also has proceeded ahead. I have been able to gather this morning what views and opinions the women members of your families hold on the question of the lock-out. I want you to be a little patient with your people at home, who perhaps do not feel so strongly as you feel (and I can appreciate that you feel strongly) because you have been in the mills while these women have not been there. Our work has been proceeding along various lines very nicely. The public of Madras are getting more and more interested and are seeing for themselves that the action taken by Messrs. Binny & Co., has been entirely wrong. The public also recognise that Messrs. Binny & Co., by their action have increased the economic distress that already prevailed before in these distressful times. But more than the sympathy of the public of Madras I have very great pleasure in getting the sympathy of your own rank and class and I am glad to say that we received a sympathetic communication from the labourers of Negapatam. This bond of friendship that binds together the labouring classes in two such important places as Madras and Negapatam speaks volumes for the work that we have been doing. You will be glad to know that in the midst of these difficulties and troubles other Labour Unions are proceeding with their work ; for instance, this afternoon some of us go to the