A Warning From South Africa.

Manawatu Herald, 28 January 1904, Page 3

A Warning From South Africa.

The following extract from a letter received by Sir John See from, as he says, “an old and valued citizen of New South Wales,” who recently went to South Africa on a visit, has been handed to the Sydney Telegraph for publication: Durban, November 16, 1903.—Just a few lines to let you know how things are here. Work is very slack; there are some hundreds of tradesmen walking about looking for it. At first sight it would appear that employment is plentiful, as there are a number of buildings in course of erection, but the banks will not advance any money, so that they are almost at a standstill for want of it, and, therefore, employ only about one-third the men they should. Should matters brighten up, however, so that they could fully man the work, it would be impossible to find employment for all the men here now. They will be able to pick their men for the next two years. The influx to this country from Australia is not so great as one would suppose. The majority of those arriving come from Victoria. Many come from Scotland, for four men out of every six are Scotch. Some of them have money, but the greater portion possess a small supply of that necessary commodity. They stick to each other manfully, and are all tradesmen, taking whatever they can get. The Runic dropped in Durban 200 passengers ; half of them were women and children, and out of that lot forty went back by the next boat. One of the Company’s steamers passed rxs as we entered the port here, and she had 220 on board returning to Australia. The Essex left here ten days ago

with 100 on board for Australia! Another steamer leaves on Thursday, and I know of fifteen going in her, so I think the returns will fully cover those leaving the Commonwealth. The Medic arrived this (morning. She landed 240 at DUrbanj principally wouAen and children, but I feel sure that the next returning boat will take a lot of them back. It is a pity something can’t be done to prevent people coming here from Australia) as many tradesmen have taken to boot-cleaning to earn a crust. Wages are ; - Carpenters and bricklayers, 16a; plasterers, 18s j painters, 12s; living and lodging, cheapest, 30s, and rough at that. Men do not work ad hard here as they do in Australia. The plasterers are out on strike, as the employers want to reduce their wages; the carpenters are also coming out on the first of the month, Thas, added to the mines being closed down, will mean Starvation for many. At Johannesburg a few hundred have been provided with relief work at 8s a day, and they camp the same as the darkies. The lookout all round for those coming is very bad, and I do not see that things can alter in any way until the labour question in the mines is settled. Even then, it will take the place a few years to recover,