THE COTTON CRISIS

Reason has triumphed in the great cotton dispute, and a strike which would have involved Lancashire in enormous economic loss, has been settled. The first hopeful sign was when the Cotton Reconstruction Board, which consists of representatives of both sides, met in Manchester under the chairmanship of Sir Herbert Dixon. It was announced at the close of this meeting, that the two parties desired to discuss the question again, and later a settlement was reached. It was agreed that work shall be resumed on Monday. The operatives’ demand was for a forty-six-and-half hours’ week, with a thirty per cent advance in wages. The majority of the employers were willing to concede a fairly substantial increase in wages, but stood out for a forty-eight hours’ week. Thus really only a small matter of an hour-and-a-half’s work weekly separated the two parties. The actual basis of settlement is a 48 hours’ week the 20 per cent advance in wages being conceded.

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ARRESTED ON BOARD SHIP

About a week ago a European named P.R. Thornton, a sergeant in the demobilisation section of the Supply and Transport Department at Delhi, was brought down to Calcutta under arrest on a charge of having taken possession at Howrah Station of a railway parcel containing jewellery valued at Rs 4,000 by forging the name of Mr. Sharp on an indemnity bond. He was released on bail of Rs 200 pending his trial. On Monday Mr. Santon, who stood surety for him, appeared before Mr. S.N. Basu Mullick, Deputy Magistrate of Howrah, and filed a petition alleging that Thornton was leaving India last night on board the Hindu lying at the Kidderpore Dock. The Magistrate issued a warrant and the police arrested Thornton on board the ship and produced him before the Deputy Magistrate. Accused was remanded in custody pending his trial on the 9th instant.

NON-BRAHMINS POSITION

MADRAS, SEPT 1

The Madras Adi Dravida Jana Sabha has sent the following cable to the Chairman of the Indian Reform Committee: “Southern India Panchamas deeply regret committee’s prejudice towards Non-Brahmins. Non-tax-paying Brahmins belonging neither to military nor labouring classes want to displace British rulers and wield authority. Mr. Montagu is their ally. The situation is intolerable. Brahmins and Non-Brahmins are not like Englishmen and Scotsmen. Brahmins are foreign clergy enslaving an ignorant, superstitions people. Communal electorate alone will safeguard against minority rule. Brahmins were intriguing and bargaining during the war when we helped with men and money.