THE MINES AND LABOUR.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11503, 9 February 1903, Page 5

THE MINES AND LABOUR.

From time to time I have written in Tβgard to the scarcity of black labour forth; coming for the mines. Much interest is, therefore, taken in the proposal to import labour from Uganda and other portions ot Central Africa. It is said an unlimited number of natives could be there recruited under Government engagement for service on the Rand. The matter has been engaging some attention from Mr Chamberlain, and no doubt we shall hear something definite in regard to the matter very shortly. The natives in the hitherto recruiting grounds still show reluctance in coming forward to work in the mines, co if the labour problem' is not solved b*y the procuring of blacks from the far distant provinces indicated, a serious difficulty to the adequate carrying on of the gold industry will still be present. The idea of engaging Chinese workers has been generally condemned. NEW ZEALANDERS TO THE FRONT. Wh«n some months ago it was borne in on us that it would take a stronger force than was bargained for to crush the power of the Mad Mullah, the War Office authorities were advised that a thousand irregulars in the Transvaal and a like number of Boers were eager to volunteer for-service in Somaliland. It was widely commented on as particularly gratifying to find our former foes so willing to fight for the King, and there was great disappointment -when it was announced the proffered force was declined. It has just transpired come misunderstanding arose over the matter, inasmuch as the War Office now express willingness for the service of 100 Boers. The acceptance of srtjch a small company of men may be merely an act of diplomacy. Acting, ihowever, on the supposition that wartramed irregulars are desired for the Somaliland campaign 150 New Zealand scouts, drawn from men now in this country, have through Lieutennnt-Co.onel Beaochop tendered their readiness to join the expedition-, ary force. The formal request for service , was mode to Lieutenant-General Sir Neville Lyttelton, the South African Commaoder-in-Cbief, who has cabled tie War Office on the subject. FINANCES OF THE TRANSVAAL. The publication of the first Transvaal budget of Lord Milner's administration of the colony, made up to the 31st December, must have'been a very agreeable surprise to all who desire the welfare of the new South

African provinces. The estimated reretrae is four miiions, whi* the expenditure it put down at.£3,700,000, leaving the splendid surplus of £300,000. As it was anticipated them would be a considerable <lelicit, the official statement has caused the liveliest satisfaction. The chief items of reveDue were:—Customs, £1,500,000; mining, including profits tax, £650,000; stamps and transfer dues. £500,000; and railways, £400,000. On the other side of the ledger the big items consist of:—-PubHo debt charges, £125,000; South African Constabulary, £1,250,000, two-thirds of which will be recoverable , from the Imperial and Orange River Colony Governments. A memorandum of the Colonial Treasurer explains that the budget woe framed while a state of war prevailed. Peace following shortly afterwards both tihe revenue and expenditure were, therefore, considerably underestimated ; the expansion of the expenditure is to be met by supplementary estimates, probably amounting to £400,000. The expenditure incurred in railway stock and construction and public works, which » being met from the current revenue, is subject to adjustment from future loans. RAILWAY REDUCTIONS. Owing to the abnormal high rates on goods carried over the Soutih African line*, the act of the Transvaal Government in sweeping away tits duty on foodstuffs, which took effect some months ago, did not make any appreciable difference m the cost of living. Now, however, it is announced that from the Ist February goods rates on the Transvaal lines wiU be reduced 20 per cent. This must surely make living somewhat cheaper though, of course, if tlie coast colonies do not fall into line, the concession will not be go marked as it Otherwise would be. It is understood reductions in the rates in the Orange Colony are contemplated, and that there wLI bo an assimLation j in classification of goods for through traffic. The High Commissioner is in communication with the Governments of the coast colonies with the view of bringing about considerable reductions in the through rates at an early date. . PROFESSIONAL RECaPROCTTY. Relief is promised to at all events one section of professional men from oversea wiho (have been blocked from practice owing to the laiws in foroe here. When your Premier was in Capetown he communicated with Lord (Miner, pointing out tie absurd (foabiSlitiee placed on those with the very highest credentials from bedng admitted to fdlcOT their profession. The local papers', too, advocated reciprocal arrangements being entered into wiiih the other British colonies. And now , ac far os uuveyors ore concerned on ordinance is said to be in preparation on tihe following lines:—(l) Reciprocity of treatment between tihe two colonies; (2) .proof to the satisfaction of a diuly constituted board tihait Ihe applicant has passed examinations equivalent to those of the Transvaal or Ceflje-town; (3) proof by submission' to examination botlh oral aid written that the applicant is intimately acquainted wftJi the local laws-regard-ing land measurements and survey, which examinations will be locaMy conducted. Tihb is quite satisfactory as regard's surveyon. PERSONAL ITEMS. Mr ond tttre H. W. Parsons, from Paluatua, were among tihe New Zealand arrivals in Sotftih Africa last month. They are alt present ebaying at Mr Atihetetan Parsons's pretty new residence at Parktown, JoJianresburg. In company with his brother Sir H. W. Paraoue has 1 been spying out tlio land, and will no .doubt eettle down to farming on ihe high veld. Mr Aitfoetetan Pareoaa; who has just been gazetted a J.P. for the Ennel© dwtriot, has had the scope of has Land Commissionersiap extended to take in a portion of the Northern ac well as the Eastern Transvaal. Hβ ie keg* very busy attending to the duties of hie wide domain.

There la no more courteous or pains-tak-ing officer in tlh* Tramsvaal Goveromeiut service tihan Mr Leo Norfhoroft. Up till a few weeks ago our friend from Hokitika was stationed in the Lands Office in Johannasburi?, where he was of great aeslatanctdto New Zeolandem wishing to wititle on the laad. He ihas now a roving commission as valuer for the Depaitatent wiiJi whiioh tee is connected, having his headquarters at Pretoria. I am eorry to cay Mr Reynolds Denni«ton is at present laad up with an aUack of fever. He lately joined Mr Leonard Ravne'e No. 1 Company, had been given on© of the name parts in "The Three .Musketeers." Unfortunately he was only able to appear on the firet mght of the play. However, he earned enoomnnns for the

way in wihich he sustained hk part, and t)he mmagemcaut were as much put out as ue woe hinwelf at tflw enforced of tihe eaigageroant. A Chrifitchurch boy in Mr Rayne , * oompany ie Mr WUliams, son. of Mr Bhippe VViMiamis, who has taken tie etage mine of Mr Tancred. He he« been with the company for tihe best ipairt of a year, and boa a particular fondnesa for tihe career ho hoe entered upon. ' Mr T. W. F«lton, formerly manager at tha Aldington Workshops, ie at present engaged at the Simmer and Jack Mine seeing lo the erodtka of the largest air. coin-, pressor on the Band. ■ Mecisre Montgomerie and Kelsali, wibo since getting their <Hmah&rgo from ; the Eighth Begiment, have been farming at Nylstroom, have taken a place near Stan- , d&rtcn. The first selection will be kept on, and worked by their portaier Jdx Meredith. • Mi L. Butheaford, wub has been associated witih the gentlemen named, is.retiunning to Nonr Zealand witihin the next few weeks, probably to «9tay. Oajiain "Barney" Todd ie making Johannesburg iib headquarters. He is a live maniber of the Maoriland colony, and has. egtaib!i£ih«d himself as a great favourite not only with bis own compatriots but in the city generally. . Sir £tdvmrd Saiunders, who oamo to Souith Africa with the "Eighth Regiment, and alter tihe declaration oT peace went to England, is expected in Johanneeburg tiie month. He has been htustdng in Yorkshire for the past few months. The most (recent arrival on the Bond from New Zealand is Major Bartlefct. Before he left after his last war service he secuard a «arm near Johannesburg,, where he now intends to reside. Mr A. U. Bourne, from Marlborough, and of tine Eighth Regiment, ie now buyer in the Transport and Supply Department of tho Land OfSce, Pretoria, Mr Bourne expecte his wife from Hue month. ; New Zealand was repreeeated at the meeting of tihe "Johannesburg, Turf dub by nominations from Mr Thomas Hogg. His principal representative was 6an Patricia. The handsome Auckland-bred mare wa« very higMy assessed by ihe handicapper, and failed to run prominently. .