INDIAN FAMINES - Institute for Social and Economic Change

186 EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT.
In the contract system, there is room for
some discussion; but, as a rule, the arguments
in ~ts favour are antagonistic to the maill
object of the Government-viz., to save life.
As a matter of course,· a contractor will only
employ those who are able to give an adequat~
return for his money, and therefore the weak
and infirm will suffer, or go to the poorhouse.
A system of subsidised contracts wa:o
tried, but this will always prove a failure ill
India among natives.
Between daily labour and contract work
there is one intermediate step, which, if it could
be introduced throughout the whole body of
work-people, would go' far to promote economy
-viz., a system of petty contracts. Families and
neighbours will combine, and the spirit of thrift
will exercise in some instances not only a
profitable but an emulating influence. ThE'
system, however, is not applicable throughout;
but it should be encouraged in all cases.
On this subject of employment on reliefworks,
the Orissa Famine Commissioners write :
"If special relief-works are commenced too
early, the ordinary labour-market is disturbed