authorities have been able to offer, there have been many cases in which bitter complaints have been raised that young people had been induced to prepare themselves for some walk in life in which there was no demand for their services.  Of course, the more knowledge is required in various industries the more scope there will be for those who have had a long training, but there is nothing more injurious to the State than to turn out a number of persons who have had a prolonged academic training, but who are not able to do something for which there is a demand, and for which the world is willing to pay.  The results of such a course of action may be seen on a large scale in India.  In one of the colleges of an Indian University in a large manufacturing town, fourteen young men—­very agreeable and frank, outspoken fellows—­met at random in one of the hostels, were asked what, on completing their college course, they intended to do; twelve answered to become “pleaders,” and two hoped for something in the Government service.  None proposed to follow manufacturing industry, agriculture, or commerce.  The legal profession which they proposed to enter was so crowded that pleaders are said to have been competing with each other to obtain cases by a kind of Dutch auction regarding fees, and also to promote litigation wilfully in order to obtain a living.  It is from a kind of “intellectual proletariat” in all countries, that dangerous political agitators are drawn who take up political life not to improve the conditions of their fellows, but to find some sort of a career for themselves, having no useful occupation to turn to.

FOOTNOTES: 

[Footnote 5:  Since the above lines were written I hear that a Committee of Inquiry has been appointed by the Government to report on the subject.]

CHAPTER XII

WAGES[6]

How shall we better distribute the product of industry, and allay the unrest of which we hear so much?  There’s only one way—­by improving our methods of production.  To effect this the earnest and active co-operation between those engaged in industry must be employed.

_...  No longer must a man be supported by his union when he refuses to mind two lathes because the custom of the factory confines him to one.  No longer must an employer assign as a reason for cutting prices that the man’s wages are too high....  Each side must endeavour better to understand the outlook of the other._—­SIR HUGH BELL.

The second grievance mentioned in the Quarterly article already referred to is:  “The wages are too low.”  To remedy this grievance, increased productivity, along with greater economy in working, is the first essential in order to obtain the funds out of which higher wages can be paid; the second, to get a fair allocation and distribution of the profit made.  Increased benefit will also be a stimulus to better work.