THE CHINAMAN AS A MECHANIC.

Northland Age, Volume VIII, Issue 10, 27 October 1911, Page 2

THE CHINAMAN AS A MECHANIC.

“Engineering,” describing a large iron and steel works in China, says that one of the most striking features about these works in China is due to the peculiar conditions of labour. In our western countries the question,, of wages is ono of the main considerations, aud all kinds of la-bour-saving machinery are in keen demand. Here it is quite different. The supply of manual labour is not only -oppressively plentiful, but almost incredibly cheap, according to our notions of pay. On these works, throngs of sturdy half-naked men may! be seen staggering under heavy burdens, and working for 12 hours a day, for wages ranging from 3Jd. to 4d. of our money. On this slender pittance they have to find themselves in food and lodging of some sort, and in many cases support a family. Truly food is very cheap in China, but at the present price of rice, it seems hard to understand how workmen can be sufficiently fed on such Pay. Vet they appear to thrive after their fashion, and are for the greater part sleek and robust, while exhibiting the most unvarying cheerfulness. The Chinese coolie is, indeed, one of the most easy-going and contented labourers to be found anywhere. They can be seen carrying heavy loads, to a sing-song .chorus, and ready to laugh heartily on' the smallest provocation. The coolie must not be hurried or bustled, and he will resent nigger-driving (; but give him his time, and let him trudge along according to his own fashion, and he will perform a fair amount of work, and give no trouble. The higher class of manual labour tradesmen’s work are also performed at rates of pay that appear to us altogether disproportionate. It will be readily understood whu such a large proportion of the work, which in Europe and America is always done by machinery, Is left in China to manual labour. It is much the cheapest plan, and also beneficial to the working classes, by employing so many hands, and contributing to the support of multitudes of the population. As regards the ultimate economy effected in the cost of production by this system, it is a question which is more Intricate than may appear on the surface of things. There are counterbalancing agencies to be taken into account, and it will doubtless be found to vary considerably under different circumstances, and with the nature of the work. It is impossible, says “Engineering,” to visit the interesting establishment without surprise and admiration at finding so many evidences of progress and engineering activity, with all the most up-to-date appliances, in the heart of this huge country, where, till quite lately, the civilisation and mechanical achievements of the West were so little known. It is a striking and sudden advance, and it is all the more creditable to the Chinese from the fact that it has been solely due to their independent action—to local Intelligence and local funds. It shows what can be done in China by national enterprise, but it would be rash to draw general conclusions from this particular instance of latent power.