THE COLOUR BAR

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 55, 7 March 1922, Page 8

THE COLOUR BAR

Mr. John H. Harris, . an ; authority who possesses intimate knowledge ;of industrial conditions in South Africa, was interviewed-' in London recently by, 'the Central News on the South: African Strike, and; stated that the industrial issue raised by the present strike was probably the biggest ever faced by the African Cabinet. "It is much more than a strike over hours and wages,':' said Mr.. Harris. "Behind it all" is the question of racial equality. ' •''.-.. \ "The position with.regard to the gold, mines in this. Owing to the premium on gold secured under % wartime agveement,igold has been sold at 20s'ah ounce more'than, its actual value. This premium will vanish as world conditions become stable, and when it goes gold canliot be produced on an economic V- basis. Therefore come change has become necessary. The mine-owners must get one of three things: a reduction in wages, the abolition of the colour bar, or a. State ■subsidy. A State subsidy, is impossible in view of the heavy burden of taxationwhich South Africa is carrying. '• "Of the pother alternatives the abolition of the,colour bar is more important. Hitherto in South Africa the native and half-caste worker,,no matter how highly educated or skilled, has been precluded. I ■from engaging in skilled tasks, these beling'regarded as the close preserve of the white worker. This means in .practice a week of about 48 hours for;the white worker and of only 26 or 28 for the' native. '■''',' . -. :• ;

''White labour knows of course that if the natives became skilled workers the high rate of wages prevailing -would, necessarily bo reduced.- At the same time it must not.be 'overlooked'that, while wages there have notirisenjto anything like the degree they have in this country, it is quite certain that the economic future of the mines would be. saved if ■General Smuts were .politically free, to declare that the natives have a right to v engage in arty task for Which their energies and education fit them. But the ■political danger of such a decision is one which would certainly have far-reaching 'consequences." ' .' - . :-.- .' ;'