UNSKILLED LABOUR PROBLEM

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 27, 31 July 1907, Page 4

UNSKILLED LABOUR PROBLEM

An important pronouncement was made bj Mr. Botha in tho Transvaal Parliament last month. After dealing with several subjects he continued : "There remains another very important subject — the unskilled labour supply of the mines. The threa years' indentures of the Chinese labourers begin to expire this month, and altogether some 6000 of such indentures will expire before the end of the, year. The original indentures provided for their renewal ab tho expiry of three years, by mutual agreement bet-ween the labourers and the employers, but the power to make these renewals has been cancelled by section 50 of thß Constitution. The Government have been pressed to introduce legislation to amend this section of the Constitution, and thereby restore the right of renewal of the indentures for temporary peiiods. After, however, giving the subject the most ample and careful consideration, the Government have decided not to introduce such legislation this seseion, but to let the repatriation of the labourers expire. The Government have been moved to this step, not only by their unalterable conviction that the system of Chinese labour is in the highest degree inimical to the abiding interests of the Transvaal, and should cease at the earliest opportunity, but also by the consideration that the supply of native labour is, and has for some time been, In marked excess of the demand. A Native Labour Bureau ha» been established by the Government, in connection with the Native Affairs Department, and this Bureau will regulate the supply of labour to the mines, will supervise the ricruiting of nalive labour in South Africa, and see that it is better controlled, more syste-, matically conducted, and will safeguard the interests of the natives in the labour districts, thereby inspiring them with increased confidence in their employers. Owing to the large supply of natives from other sources, the W.N.L.A. has for some time stopped recruiting in the Cape Colony. Large numbers of labourers who ha^ been recruited, have been sent back without obtaining employment. The Native Labour Bureau is now organising its work in the Cape Colony, and will support the efforts of private recruiters by vigorous and independent action. The Cape Government are establishing a labour agency of their own for the supply of .native labour to the Band, and a large increased supply of native labour may be confidently expected from the Cape Colony. The Government is sanguine that Natal and Zululand will shortly be thrown open to recruitment for the mines. A& soon as that is done, action similar to that proposed in regard to the Cape Colony will be taken. In these and other ways, it is anticipated that the native labour supply will be largely augmented. Negotiations are on foot to reorganise the W.N.L.A. on a more satisfactory basjs, for the purpose of recruitment of East Coaßt labour. I have every reason to hope that these negotiations will be successful. At the same time, the Government anticipate that the repatriation of the Chinese will lead to the restoration of healthier and more stable conditions on the mines, to the large employment of white labour, JLo a wore economic and efficient use of native labour, and the application on a larger scale of mechanical appliances to mining operations."