The South African Rush.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 40, 2 October 1902, Page 18

The South African Rush.

Great numbers of people, chiefly men, are leaving Australia weekly for the new El Dorado in Africa, but we note with satisfaction that the mania for flight is not gaining much ground in New Zealand. It can certainly be said in extenuation of the Australian exodus that the continent is a very good place to be out of at present, and that the New Zealander has fewer inducements to leave his emerald isle . Distant fields are proverbially green, and to the colonial artisan the allurement of a pound a day iB well nigh irresistible. But if out of this he has to pay £4 10s for indifferent board and lodging, of what value to him is the remaining 30s 1 At the same time he is compelled to live amid the most disagreeable surroundings. There is an undoubted demand for artizans in Africa* Not later than Saturday last the Acting -Premier read a cable he had received from Major Pilcher, in Capetown, in answer to inquiries about the state of the labor market in South Africa. The Major stated that a demand existed for carpenters, tinsmiths, coach and waggon makers, body makers, coach painters, wheelwrights, saddlers, harness-makers, cutters, fitters, and tailors. But Major Piloher added that the present high wages would decline as the supply in. creased. The greater part of the industrial activity will be found

in Johannesburg, which is the commercial capital. But in Johan ttwburg board costs &2 10s a week, and if the lodger aspires to a private room the cost is much higher. Minor inconveniences are dust, insects, inaanitation, with a stroDg likelihood of diseass thrown in. In truth, South Africa presents its,elf as a desirable residence to but a limited number of a special class. To the ordinary artisan it will prove disappointing, if not worse, and we strongly counsel our New Zealand young men to stay at home and enjoy the blessings which nature has lavishly bestowed on thia fair land.