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60 treat them according to the law of the land. I am cot saying that what the Mill authorities have done in response-perhaps in an angry response to the misconduct of a few labourers is right. The action of the Mill authorities cannot be defended. You cannot punish thousands of labourers for the mistake or blunder or even crime of the few, and I do not for one moment uphold the step that has been taken by Messrs. Binny and Co. who are the agents of the two Mills. I have drawn up, after consultation with my colleagues and with some of your leaders, two resolutions to be passed at the meeting. In the first resolution we regret the incident that is reported to have taken place. I have not all that definite evidence before me, but from what I have heard from various sides, there seems to be little doubt that an assault has been made. In the second resolution we condemn the action of the Mill authorities, and we request them to open the Mills and not cause immense distress to thousands of men especially in these hard times. Now your duty as members of the Labour Union is clear. Your first duty, if you are true to your principles, is to help in the investigation by the Police and the Mill authorities on the tracing of the culprits. If any one of you know which particular man or men have been guilty of assault, it would be wise for you to go to the Police Commissioner and give him the information that you possess. Though it is very hard. though it is very difficult, I implore you to have some patience and let the anger of the European officer of the Mill die down a little; not to be impatient till they consider the position. Remember what I have told you again and