Timely Topics

Northern Advocate, 13 December 1937, Page 4

Timely Topics

“LORDS OF THE EQUATOR.’

Following is a German opinion quoted in Mr Patrick Balfour’s book, “Lords Of The Equator’’; ‘ln so far as the Germans have any complaints against the British administration (n the Cameroons), they are concerned (apart from the sore subject of its roads) with its labour regulations. Before the war the Germ'an recruited native labour under contract. Each man was required to sign on for a year or eighteen months. He was fed and housed and received ten shillings per month. As a rule, the employer held back half of this wage, so that the native should have a lump sum to take home at the end of his contract. 6But native labour contracts,' under the British regime, are forbidden. The native must be free to come and go, to work or not as he feels inclined. The Germans complain that this deprives, them of any efficient or guaranteed labour supply. A n'ative under contract can be turned into an efficient workman. But efficiency is seriously hampered by the lack of any guarantee of his consent to work from one day or ne month to another. The native can 'and does knock off work, without notice, any day he likes.” .- | j Words Of Wisdom | j j Onr Joys shall always lasi; : For hope shall brighten da ys to i ; coma, i And memory gild the past. I —Moore, j Tale Of The Day “ Friends , Romans, Country- -lend me your ears,” began a little ooy ■ who was reciting at the local school concert.

“That must he the Jones hoy,” solid one of the listening mothers, with feeling. “ They're always trying to borrow something .’’