5

A. -5

I.—GRIEVANCES— continued.

History. Beferences. Bemarks. Monopolies. (A.) Oynami te. — Economic. Granted to E. Lippert, 1887, but cancelled at demand of British Government, after long correspondence, in 1892. Parliamentary Paper I Dynamite, an article of prime C.-9317, No. 1. necessity to the gold industry, ] was raised to a preposterous figure merely to benefit the concessionaire and those members of the Government who were his allies. Same, No. 3. This was practically handing the monopoly back to Lippert, who was in the background. Parliamentary Papers The Commission recom-C.-9345, 1899, p. 7 ; j mended the abolition of the C.-8423, p. 130. I monopoly, as it pressed unduly upon the mining industry, and hindered development. Parliamentary Paper 0.-9317, No. 1. Declared Government monopoly, and contract concluded to Vorstmann for fifteen years, in 1893. Transvaal Industrial Commission reported in 1897 that the monopolists had been making a profit exceeding £2 a case, of which only 5s. went to the State. Same, No. 3. Parliamentary Papers C.-9345, 1899, p. 7; C.-8423, p. 130. O 'her Monopolies. Matches, paper, chocolate, wool, starch, mineral waters, soap and oils, sewage, &c. 'THER MONOPOLIES. Parliamentary Paper A new monopoly was created C.-9345, p. 227. for the making of brushes on the eve of the Bloemfontein Conference. Parliamentary Paper C.-9345, p. 227. Uitla Taxation. Taxation. Transvaal revenue, 1884, £150,000; 1897, £4,500,000, or, on a total population of 250,000, at the rate of £18 each. Taxation so arranged that the articles required by Boers — as coffee, sugar, clothes, corn —is practically duty free. Eesult, that the Uitlander and mining industry pay nine-tenths. In November, 1898, the Baad, being short of money, passed, within twentyfour hours from the first motion, a new law levying 5 per cent, on the net profits of the mines, and this in spite of solemn promises that no further tax should be levied without ample consideration and notice. mders pay Nine-tenths. Parliamentary Paper The Industrial Commission ; C.-9345, pp. 7, 12, 28. recommended abolition of all duties on food - stuffs, as the country could not produce enough; but in the result the Government made large iniders pay Nine-tenths. Parliamentary Paper C.-9345, pp. 7, 12, 28. creases. Same, p. 44. i Same, p. 44. Expenditure . Expenditure. The gravest scandals have frequently occurred, and money, including large sums for secret service, is squandered in enormous sums. Any impartial authority will admit that the Government can be administered much more economically. Constant intrigue to obtain illicit advantages in matters affecting industries. :aeges and Mismanagement. Eailway Ch, The Netherlands Eailway Company, largely owned and guaranteed by Transvaal Government, but purposely managed from Amsterdam, has the right to collect Customs dues from Delagoa Bay. Charges at rate of 6d. per ton per mile, and 3d. for rough goods, The Government has right to expropriate, but Mr. Kruger opposes, giving as his reason that things can be done through the railway company which through their own Government they could not do. Parliamentary Paper | The Industrial Commission C.-9345, pp. 10, 11. J suggested reduction of 25 per cent, in charges for goods, larger reduction still for coal, and of two-thirds of the fares of natives coming to the mines ; but Volksraad disallowed, and in the result the charges were made more onerous. All claims exceeding £100 have to be preferred in Amsterdam, and the bulk of the officials are Hollanders. English is not permitted in the railway offices. 0.-8423, p. 139.