LABOUR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 61, 26 October 1911, Page 8

LABOUR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

According to two gentlemen who have been visiting Sydney, South Alrica is anticipating a very bright i'uturo. Mr \V. F. Lance, who has a seat in the Senate of die Union Parliament, takes a particularly optimistic view of the outlook tor lus country, though he admits that some very dimeult problems will have to he solved heroic Jong. One of these, ho says, is the big native question. The natives and iiaif-castcs, wlio outnnmher tiic whites by ton to one, are increasing rapidly. Mr Lance believes emit tne country should be a while man’s country, but tiie present thrillculty, Jio says, is to secure European settlers who will farm the land themselves, instead of depending entirely on native labour. Tne mines arc the mainstay of South Africa, but it will have to rely more on agricultural and pastoral development, and it will be dangerous to allow the black people to uecome an important factor in this development. Mr Lance dues 1 not wish to see the natives employed in large numbers, but the mine-owners nave no stien scruples. Air J. !>. Goodman, vice-chairman of the Really Corporation of South Africa, lias been Lolling tne reporters m Sydney time notwithstanding the great native popl.ition, shortage of labour is cauaing great concern among tiie proprietors of the Rand mines. He is quite satisfied with the natives as miners, sa.vs that tiie natives are much better bie, although there are over a quarter of a million employees in the Transvaal mining industry. Mr. Goodman says that tne natives are Jiuch better oh than are the white men who work in British and European mines. They receive their keep and wages amounting to about T 4 a month. They are provided with comfortable quarters and good food and in time of sickness they are cared for by white doctors and nurses in well-equipped hospitals ’they cio not work more than 1 cigot Hours a day. At present, of course, the mines which arc-, working under sound legislation, are dependant on native labour. Louth Africa should have little to fear if the natives arc' kept at work under the excellent conditions described by Air. Goodman.