SOUTH AFRICAN NEEDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15662, 16 July 1914, Page 7

SOUTH AFRICAN NEEDS.

THE COMMISSION'S REPORT

COLOURED LABOUR TROUBLE

NEED FOR DAIRY FARMING.

CABLES AND MAIL ROUTES.

By Telegraph— Association—Copyright. (Received July 15, 11.30 p.m.) London, July 15. The report of the Dominions Trade Commission upon Soutn Africa suggests the amalgamation of the Rand mine into a single trust, The only disadvantage would be the creation of an interest so powerful as to be a menace to the Government authority. The present system of recruiting black labour is expensive and inefficient. White labour is discontented and unstable, and often unsuited to be in authority over the natives. Position of Agriculture. -Regarding agriculture the most pressing need is scientific water conservation;. The commission advocates extensive dairy farming, the opening up of the country for settlors and inducing immigration. It states that farmers need from £1000 to £2000 to start with in South Africa. Thcro is little co-operation among dairy farmers compared with Australia and New Zealand, but the co-operative movement is making great strides. Advantages of Cape Route. The commission recalls its remarks in the second interim report upon the general advantages of the Cape route for Australian and Now Zealand mails. It is not sufficiently realised that the route from Britain to Adelaide via tho Capo is only 600 knots longer than via Gibraltar and Suez. It is a matter of surprise that no serious effort has been made to organise a joint mail service to Africa and Australasia. Before further contracts are completed there should be consultations between the British and Dominion Governments. Week-end Cables. The commissioners urge that the authorities should not rest until week-end cables of from 10 to 12 words are transmitted throughout the Dominions at an inclusive charge of ss. Such messages would afford the people of tho Empiro a means of maintaining family and national relations to which they arc legitimately entitled.

The commissioners strongly commend week-end press messages. They might well be sent for a penny a word up to eight hundred words. A protest is made against the high press cable rates between South Africa and the other Dominions.