Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1901. THE COST OF THE WAR.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 10 April 1901, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1901. THE COST OF THE WAR.

Lord Kitchener has been a successful soldier, and is now giving some indication of his capacity as a statesman and administrator. As the Boer war approaches an end, the question on whom the cost of the struggle is to fall comes prominently to the front. The gold mines of South Africa are said to be capable of bearing the entire cost without unduly burdening them. That they will be asked to contribute a quota is pretty certain, and it is but fair that that quota should be a substantial one. Lord Kitchener has already approached the question, but it seems to us “from the wrong end,” Public feeling in the Old Country has always been on the side of making the mine magnates of u.ie Rand contribute to the cost of the war, but how to do it ? Kitchener seems to have hit upon a first method by way of beginning, A limited number of mines are to be allowed to start, but upon conditions. He stipulates that the miners receive the same pay and rations as irregular troopers, and that the difference between that sum and the ordinary wage shall go towards a fund for families of the Rand men killed during the war. The

Chamber of Commerce of course urges the miners to accept these terms, and the men will, likely suggest that the mine magnates should pay the difference. It certainly seems a triilo strange that the workmen should from their earnings be the first asked to contribute towards the cost, and we imagine they will decline the offer and affirm that the mine owners, who had large stakes at issue, should bear the charge. This would establish the principle that cannot now be too well recognised that mining corporations, whose property is being protected by British arras, shall pay for such protection.