LABOUR ON THE RAND.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 649, 7 March 1914, Page 5

LABOUR ON THE RAND.

HIGH WAGES NECSESARY. By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright Capetown, Thursday. The Economic Commission's report finds that the cost of living in the Rand is 40 per cent, higher than in America andßo per cent, higher than in Europe. Wages are 400 per ce«t. higher than in America and 225 per cent, higher than in Europe; but as the miners laboir under many disadvantages, their wages are not unreasonable.

Competition between whites, natives, and Indians in the skilled trades is negligible. The report discountenances the Government decreeing a standard wage. Voluntary agreements between employers and workers are more satisfactory. While it is essential that the employers should recognise the trade unions, the report recommends the protection of non unionists. It states that white strikers have caused considerable unrest among the natives.

Shorter hours are recommended, with higher pay for overtime. The Commission described the federation of trade unions as a second line of defence against industrial war, and urges the employers not to refuse to meet the Federation. The Commission is unable to conceive why the Federation officials were refused recognition as the men's professional representatives. It considers that the demand that trade unions should forego"! political activities is outside the question of recognition, but any over-persuasion in recruiting for |the unions involving violence or to her illegal action should be sternly repressed.