SOUTH AFRICA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1665, 27 January 1904, Page 32

SOUTH AFRICA.

THE CHINESE LABOUR PROBLEM

Amongst the. visitors to Wellington at present are three Natal residents—Mr M. S. Evans, O.MfG.' v lately a ... ember of "the Natal Parliament, Mr T. Hyslop, M.L.A.. who was Colonial Treasurer in the Ministry of Sir Albert Hime, and Mr G. S. Armstrong. M.L.A.—whio are making a tour of New Zealand, an.d investigating meanwhile the legislative arcd industrial conditions of this country. The vie-ws of there gentlemen in reference to the introduction of Asiatic labour into the T'ratn:s>vaal ivere expressed to a representative of the “New Zealand Miai!/' Speaking of the remarks made by the Premier at Hokitika on this subject, they stated that in their opinion Mr Seddpn misinterpreted the cable meffiage from the Premier of Natal in saying that Natal

favoured 1 the introduction of the Chinese. It was time, they admitted, that tire resolution brought before the Legislative Assembly of Natal against Chinese labour in South Africa was l defeated by an.''overwhelming ' majority j but it did not follow from this that that colony was in favour of Chinese labour. It simply meant that Natal was not prepared: to pass a resolution. which would look like an interference m tlie* affairs of another colony. Natal’s attitude, in fact, was similar to that of Canada as expressed in the cablegram from Sir Wilfrid La/urieir—' namely, “that interference in such a question would not be advisable.” Moreover they considered. Naltal could hardly ©niter a protect against the action of the Transvaal in this .matter when it had for 6*o long itself employed Indian labour in its own country. Mr liyelop eitruck an important note in the discussion when h© pointed out that in South Africa black men are employed for practically the who!© of the unskilled labour, and: that it lfl impoesible for the white to work alongside the black. “The white man cam do the work perfectly well/’ he fact i© that he will not dlo i t involves his working alongside a black

man; and it is well, for obvious realms, that he, snow Id not. It is not desirable that the status of the white man should ! be lowered. At thi same tsme, if the | ; supply of coloured labour already in the country as not sufficient, it is evident that ! a further aupply.nuurft be brought from l outside.'" y There is, it may be obrervea, considerable difference of opinion as to Avhether there is a, shortage of coloured labour : within the country. There are now 70,- 1 0!>0 Kaffirs working in the Transvaal mines, and many claim that if the mineowners cared to take proper means to get Kaffir labour, -they, could secure plenty of it for their purpose. Then it is urged on the other hand, that the Kaffirs are unreliable, and chat the Asiatics are being introduced because they can bo depended upon. But it is quite Avrong, says Mr Hyslop, to assume that if Asiatics erne not introduced the Avhite.men will do the Avork. It is Avrong for the simple

reason ' thiait white men will not work alongside black men. . ~ , The opinion of Mr Evans is that, the people of Natal certainly would not agree to a resolution in favour of Chinese labour rn the Transvaal. It is said that an additional supply of black labour of a reliable kind is wanted there; biyt my view/’ he remarked, “is that it will be a bad thing for South Africa if Chinese are brought there as proposed.”