South Africa.

Manawatu Herald, 20 January 1903, Page 2

South Africa.

LABOUR ON THE RAND. The Daily Mail states that the Rand financiers propose to introduce a hundred thousand coolies under contract, not as permanent settlors. The Rand’s anxiety to secure Chinese labour leads the English newspapers to protest. They emphasise the fact that the new colonies will never be British unless they attract a British population. The Johannesburg Chamber of Mines has raised the wages of Kaffirs to the rates prevailing before the war. The advance in Kaffirs’ wages is due to Mr Chamberlain’s strong criticism. It is likely to improve the chance of successfully dealing with the labour prob’em. Mr Chamberlain is still uncommitted to the importation of alien labour. The Spectator suggests that no Chinese should be imported du ing British trusteeship in the Transvaal. The decision in the matter had better be left to an autonomous Government. The Indians employed at the mines at Koffyfontein found the work too hard and have returned to Kimberley. MR CHAMBERLAIN. Sir Walter Hely - Hutchinson, Governor of Gape Colony, will meet Mr Chamberlain at Mafeking and accompany him to the Cape. Mr Chamberlain leaves Bloom fontein on the 9th February. He visits Grahams town, Port Elizabeth, Graaf Reneit, and Paarl, reaching Capetown on the 17th.

OR\NGE RIVER COLONY. Unofficial members have been added to the Legislative Council of Orange River Colony. This is preliminary to establishing an elective Council. The Johannesburg correspondent of the Daily Mail states that the Orange River Colony’s war contribution is to be five millions, with a

public works loan of a similar amount. THE NATIONAL SCOUTS. In reply to a deputation, Mr Chamberlain regretted the animosity displayed towards the National Scouts being continued, and promised them Government protection. - THE WAR - TAX. Though Mr Chamberlain postponed the official announcement respecting the thirty million war tax to be paid by the Transvaal, a meeting of the heads of the South African raining houses in London approved that figure, payment to be made in three annual instalments. The meeting guaranteed ten millions in ten minutes. OPINIONS OF AN AUSTRALIAN.

Mr Copeland, Agent-General for New South Wales, in an interview with a representative of the Daily Olirdnidie, fidici ohe European miner was worth five Chinese. The action of the Rand capitalists was contemptible. He pointed opt that English and Australian Workmen Had hoped to stive the mines, yet it was now proposed to hand their legitimate employment over to a horde of barbarians.

If Mr Chamberlain consents, said Mr Copeland, to the importation of Chinese, it will far outweigh all the good he has ever done. It will embitter the whole of Australia and Canada and make them avowed enemies of himself and Imperial policy. A COMMISSION SUGGESTED. Mr Chamberlain, speaking at a banquet at Johannesburg, suggested that the Imperial Government should appoint a Royal Commission on the labour question, Mr Chamberlain said expectations regarding his reception had been fully realised. He had been much impressed by his interviews with leading Boers. Just and generous treatment would remove animosities and prejudices, and the virile qualities of Britain’s late brave opponents would be a source of strength to the nation,