MR CHAMBERLAIN'S TOUR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12565, 20 January 1903, Page 5

MR CHAMBERLAIN'S TOUR

THE LABOUR QUESTION. AN OVATION AT~JOHANNESBURU. FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. CAPETOWN, January 18. (Received Jan. 19, at 8.45 a.m.) The Rant) companies contemplate an expenditure of £50,500,000 on'their deep levels and other projects, They are discussing the possibility of mining to a depth of 12,000 ft.

The engineers who are members of the Chamber of Mines, Johannesburg, informed Mr Chamberlain that tho earnings of the 12,000 whites engaged in tho mines averaged £303 a year, representing an increased cost of production of 2s 10(1 per ton. If white labour were adopted exclusively, it would represent an increase of 10s a ton, thus rendering half of the mines unprofitable. A SUCCESSFUL BANQUET. CAPETOWN, January 19. (Received Jan. 20, at 0.25 a.m.) In his speech at the Johannesburg banquet Mr Chamberlain warmly denied agreeing to tho proposal to introduce Chinese and Persians, Sufficient labour was available in South Africa if Kaffirs could be induced to work. Commenting on the increase in white labour, he said that whereas prior to tho war there was one white to every nine Kaffirs, now the proportion was one to five. If tho proportion increased they would make it a .wluto man's country. It was now essen'tial to develop the present supply and increase the efficiency of white labour, and only hereafter consider drastic measures. Lord Milner announced that, prior to the, appointment of a Royal Commission, lie intended calling an intercolonial conference to consider native administration and legislation. Mr Chamberlain, replying to J. B, Robinson's recent statement that it was impossible for Downing street to wholly rule any portion of South Africa, was wildly applauded when he declared that neither Boer nor Briton wished to substitute Mark Lane for a Downing street Government. lie added that selfgovemmcilt would bo granted when the States' security and tho permanence of the existing order were secured. (Received Jan. 20, at 0,57 a.m.) Tho guests n.t tho banquet in Johannesburg included Lord Milner and General Botha. Tho Mayor of Johannesburg presided. Mr Chninborlain was received with the greatest ovation that has ever been accorded to anyone in the history of that city. In his speech, which occupied an hour and a-half in delivery, ho announced that, with a view to ensuring a practical and immediate result and fixing a sum instead of earmarking any finite surpluses, he had secured authorisation to accept a scheme based in the first part wholly in the Transvaal's - favour. Parliament would guarantee an investment loan of £35,000,000 on tho security of tho assets of the Transvaal and Orange River Colonies. This loan would bo issued the moment it was sanctioned in order to pay existing debts, buy and construct, railways, and promote land settlement. A war debt loan of £30,000,000, he said, would be placed at tho earliest opportunity after the other loan on the security of tho Transvaal. Financiers had subscribed an instalment of £10,000,000 without commission or preferential security as regarded the remainder, thus assuring the success of tho loan in London. This would place no undue burden on the Transvaal, as the Motherland was accepting ail adequate liberal share. The Orange .River Colony would not be asked to contribute unless her resources hereafter warranted it-.