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Rh 27 2. The prices of food-stuffs and clothing material have risen considerably. The recent rise of wages accorded by you is not sufficient. The labourers know that you are engaged in Government contract work, which brings you enormous profits ; they feel that they are not getting a legitimate share of it. Under ordinary circumstances they would merely grumble, but the very high market prices make them feel the injustice of it. They know that through the efforts of Mr. Gandhi, millhands in Ahmedabad got an increase of over 20 per cent; a similar rise, they feel, should be given by you. These are the main grievances and the future harmonious working very much depends on how you solve them. The following are minor points, but by no means to be entirely put aside. 3. A number of grievances which are reducible to harsh treatment of labourers by European officers. The general treatment given by the European Agents of the mills to their European officers is looked upon as being very partial ; the European officers are treated with favouritism, and in some way to the disadvantage of the Indian labourers. Also the European officers are not spoken of by labourers in terms of praise or kindness. Some of them are positively disliked. It is hoped that these European officers at the mills will be instructed by the Agents to treat the labourers more kindly and with consideration. It may well be impressed on these officers that the labourers are human beings with human feelings and thoughts. 4. A better regulation for dismissal of labourers is requested. At present petty officials dismiss men, while the Manager only should possess the power to dismiss ;