RAND MINE RIOTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15349, 9 July 1913, Page 9

RAND MINE RIOTS.

20 KILLED— IOO INJURED.

SCENES AT THE FUNERAL.

TROUBLE NOT YET OVER. SETTLEMENT REPUDIATED. DEMAND FOR RESIGNATION. OF THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL. SOCIALIST THREATS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Johannesburg, July 7. Twenty men were killed and 150 wounded during the rioting on Saturday.

To-day the strike leaders met General Botha (Premier of the Union of South Africa) and General Smuts (Minister for Finance and Defence), who promised to inquire into the question of providing for the dependents of those killed and wounded.

The deputation also discussed with General Botha the protection of the strike-breakers, to whom a number of the strikers object.

Revolutionary Union. The strike leaders state that the Government asked the unions' representatives to formulate their grievances. They were authorised to make the announcement that the Government was alone responsible for the clause in the settlement relating to strike-breakers. Meanwhile, 3000 * militant and ultra-socialist strikers have passed a resolution repudiating the settlement effected by their leaders. The men further declared that the strike would continue, and marched to Braamfontein Station to bring out the railwaymen. One Kendall, the chief speaker, announced the formation of a new Union of South African Workers, representing the revolutionary party. Several mines have resumed work, though numbers attended the funerals of those killed in the rioting. Anti-Capitalist Crusade. A special message to the Sydney Sun says: The Johannesburg Leader, discussing the riots, states that the miners are mostly Cornishmen, and strong supporters of the Government. It adds: "We are disposed to attribute the least share of the present trouble to the supposed support of the Government to any anti-capitalist crusade."

"FIGHT TO A VICTORY."

"PUBLIC MUST BE TAUGHT."

(Received July 8. 6.50 p.m.)

Johannesburg, July 8.

The Amalgamated Society of Engineers has cabled to the executive in London to organise a demonstration in Trafalgar Square as a protest against the "cold-blooded murders" at Johannesburg.

The Worker, the official organ of the South African Labour Party, states that war having been declared in the shape of a general strike on the Rand it must be fought not to a finish, but to a victory, which means the bringing of the public and the Parliament to their senses and their knees.

The Cape Times asserts that the strikers demand that the soldiers or police who have been identified as having fired on the crowd shall stand their trial. Appeal at the Graveside. Twelve thousand trade unionists attended the funerals of the men who were shot by the police. A vast crowd thronged the route, and the cortege, unable to proceed, made a detour in order to reach the cemetery. The Rev. Mr. Furss, Anglican Bishop, exhorted the assemblage at the graveside to return to their homes peacefully. No one wanted to see further disorder and bloodshed. The spokesman of the Trades Federation made a similar appeal, adding, "Let no man have the chance to say we are a disorganised rabble." In Memory of " Martyrs." The Socialist Party's wreaths were inscribed, "In memory of our martyrs, foully murdered in cold blood by the capitalist class." The Socialists outside the cemetery sang " The Red Flag." Mrs. Fitzgerald, a prominent agitator, has been arrested for making an inflammatory speech in the centre of the city. The Transvaal Miners' Association has instructed the miners to obey the Federation and return to work. » Military Precautions. The two forces employed in quelling the disorder consisted of 730 hussars and dragoons, 2400 of the Scots Fusiliers, Bedford Regiment, and South Staffordshire Regiment, and 3000 police. The Corner House is still strongly guarded, owing to the renewed threats to blow it up. Attempts were made to blow up the railway overnight between Johannesburg and Germiston, but these failed.

Practically every gunsmith's and jeweller's shop in the central area has been looted despite strict military surveillence. The authorities are adopting greater precautions and a strong contingent of troopers is standing to arms within striking distance of the danger spots. A body of 250 railwaymen, while assembled to-day at the Government buildings, Pretoria, awaiting the result of the deputation, noticed the Union Jack flying and demanded that it be lowered to half-mast.

Two workmen, one carrying a revolver, ascended the roof and saw the demand carried out. An amnesty has been refused to the men guilty of blowing up buildings and incendiarism. The . Government has refused to recognise the militants.

Threat by Railwayman. 1 Three of the strike leaders state that the full terms of the settlement embrace more than the document signed on Saturday. They resent the condition that miners will be reemployed only as they are wanted, and insist that provision must be made for men unable to return to work forthwith, which they maintain is more important than providing for the strike-breakers. The theory is advanced that the leaders, in order to strengthen their position and weaken the militants, are endeavouring to make out that they have concluded a better bargain than they actually have done. The newspapers published to-day a statement that the railen's executive has resolved that, if the miners decide to continue the strike, a general strike of the railwaymen will be declared.

"EVERYTHING IS QUIET."

LORD GLADSTONE'S MESSAGE. London, July 7. In the House of Commons to-day Mr. Lewis Harcourt (Secretary of State for the Colonies), in reply to questions, said that Viscount Gladstone, in accordance with the law, and in response to the request of the Ministers of the Union of South Africa had sanctioned military help for the preservation of order, especially in view of the presence of 250,000 natives on the Rand. Mr. Harcourt concluded by reading Viscount Gladstone's telegram which he had just received: "Everything is quiet, and I have every reason to believe that the men will accept the terms of settlement." The speaker declined to accept a motion by Mr. R. L. Outhwaite (Liberal M.P. for Hanley) to call attention to the Imperial troops shooting miners, and remarked that the motion implied a vote of censure on the Government of South Africa, which the House was unable to consider. Mr. Keir Hardie (chairman of the Labour Parliamentary Party) has received a cable signed by a number of citizens of Bloemfontein demanding Viscount Gladstone's withdrawal from the post of Governor-General for using Imperial troops against the strikers at Johannesburg.

CAUSE OF THE DISTURBANCE.

IMPORT OF CHEAP LABOUR. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CmusTCircßCH, Tuesday. A mining engineer from the Rand says that the chief factor in the strike has been the introduction of cheap Dutch and European labour. -White labourers on the Rand inquire (roughly) about £12 a month to live. Up till within five or six years ago the average wage for a miner was £1 a shift. Taken into consideration with the risk which the man ran in such unhealthy conditions, that was little enough. The introduction of the Boer or other cheap labour brought about great dissatisfaction amongst the British miners. The Boers and low-caste Europeans worked for 10s a shift, and in some cases even less. The idea of the mine proprietors is to maintain, and even, if possible, to increase, the marvellous dividends paid on the Rand. The position could be summed up by stating- that the average yield of the Rand ore was about 6dwt to the ton, but as the workings went deeper and deeper the cost of production naturally increased, and if the manager wished to maintain the results he was forced to cut the cost down in some way or other. He did, and it was the miner who suffered.

FARM LABOURERS' STRIKE.

MEN RETURN TO WORK.

London, July 7.

Coincident with the opening of King George's tour through the Lancashire industrial district the strike of farm labourers at Ormskirk has been settled by a conference of farmers and labourers. The strike had spread over a large area.

The strike in the Midlands has also been settled.