INDIAN FAMINES - Institute for Social and Economic Change

172 ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT
dearer than 20 lb.· for the rupee it but the
counter-fact stands, that among the labourers
there are no symptoms of suffering, but that, on
the contrary, their condition is quite as good as
in years of plenty. If further proof were wanting
that this pittance suffices, abundance is
forthcoming. Mr Oldham, who is in charge of
the Moteeharee subdivision, set himself to introduce
task-work, introducing an advanced
wage of an anna and a half. On this anna and
a half rate being started, the people refused to
work, saying that they preferred the anna rate
without the measurement. On another reliefwork
the attempt to introduce task-work resulted
in a general resolute strike on the part of
the coolies; and on yet another at Katenwa,
which was thought to be very badly off, when
very light task-work was introduced, the number
of labourers fell in one day from over 1300
to 600. . • . The wages seem very low, but
it must not be forgotten that every member of
a family, down to the brat who can scarcely
toddle, is drawing-I will not say earning-
.. 10 seers in the original, which = 20 lb.
t Rupee = 2 shillings.