1. This is an appeal by the defendant, the Union of India. It is directed against an order of the learned Additional Civil Judge, Jhansi, granting an application under S.8 and S.20, Arbitration Act.

2. Mohammad Usman, the plaintiff - respondent, on 8-3-1945 entered it to a contract with the Union of India to supply meat to the Military Regiment between 1-1-1945 and 31-3-1946. The plaintiff alleged that he made the requisite supplies, but was not fully paid. According to him, a sum of Rs. 8,38,994/10/6 was still payable to him by the Union of India. He made several representations to the appellant for payment, as also for arbitration of the dispute by the General Officer Commanding in Chief, Headquarters, Eastern Command, Lucknow, who was the officer named in the contract as arbitrator to settle