LABOR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13322, 6 March 1914, Page 3

LABOR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

COST OF LTVING AND WAGES. (Press Assn.— By Telegraph— Copyright.) (Received March 6. 8.30 a.m.) CAPETOWN, March 5. The Economic Commission's report finds, that the cost of living on the Rand is 40 per cent, higher than m America, and 80 per cent, higher than m Europe. Tlie wages are 40 per cent, higher than m America, and 225 per cent, higher than m Europe, but as the miners labor under many disadvantages their wages are not unreasonable. The competition between natives and Indians m skilled trades was a negligible quantity. The report discountenances the Government decreeing a standard wage. Voluntary agreements between employers and workers were satisfactory. It was essential tliat employers should recognise trade: unions. It z-ecorfimends the protection of non-unionists, and . states that white strikers had caused considerable xmrest among natives. Shorter hours are recommended, with higher pay for overtime. The report described the federation of trade unions as a second line of defence against industrial war, and urges employers not to refuse' to meet the Federation. The Commission is unable to conceive why the Federation officials were refused recognition as the men's professional representatives. It considers the demand that trade unions, should /forego political activities outside the question of recognition, but any overpersuasion m recruiting for unions involving violence and other illegal action should be -repressed.