RAND MINES TRUST

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2203, 16 July 1914, Page 7

RAND MINES TRUST

A SUGGESTION DOMINIONS COMMISSION REPORT ISSUED MAIL AND CABLE SERVICES By Telegraph—Prcea AGBodation—Copyrieht (Rec. July 15, 11.30 p.m.) ' . London, July. 15.' The Dominions Royal Commission, in tho South African report, suggests tho amalgamation of tile Rand Mine in a smglo trust, the only disadvantage of such a course would bo the creation of an interest so powerful as to be a menace to Government authority. The present system of recruiting black labour was expensive and inefficient, while the white labour is discontented arid unstable, and often unsuited to be in authority over the natives. Regarding agriculture, the most pressing need is scientific water conservation. The Report advocates -expensive dairy farming, tho opening up of the country for settlers, and inducing immigration from the Australian States; farmers would need £1000 to' £2000 to etart in Sooth Africa. There is littlo co-operation* among tne dairy-farmers as compared with Australia and New Zealand, but the co-operative movement is making strides. The commission recalls the' remarks pin the second interim report upon the ■general advantages of the Cape route i for Australian and New Zealand mails, (which is insufficiently realised. The 'route from Britain to Adelaide, via the Cape, is only six hundred knots longer thaii ■ via Gibraltar and Suez, and it is .a- matter for surprise that no serious (tffort lias been made to organise a joint Mail service between Africa and Australia. Before further contracts are ocini'.pleted, there should be consultations betveen the British and Dominion. Governments; ' . Tfc Commissioners urge the authorities not to rest until week-end cables' of ten ax twelve words are- transmitted the Dominions, at an inclusive ohVirgc of os. Such messages would afford' the people of the Empire the means: of maintaining family and national relations to which they are legitimately entitled. The Commissioners also si trongly commend week-end Press messages, which might well bo a penny per wen'd up to eight hundred words, and piwtest against, the high Press cable rates now ruling between South Africa and tho other Dominions..