Africa and its Mines.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 86, 1 November 1912, Page 2

Africa and its Mines.

A VISITOR FROM JOHANNESBURG

A FELL DISEASE

Making his initial visit to New Zealand by the s.s. Maungamii, which called at Bluff from Australian ports yesterday (says '"'Southland TinW of Oct. 15) was a young Johannesburg resident, whose period on South African soil extends into a dozen years. During the course of a chut with a "Times" representative, our visitor had many things to say about South Africa and of Johannesburg, in particular, which city he appeared to know from A to Z. '"'Since the war," ho said., "of course Now Zealanders are probably quite aware of the changes, political and social, that have been effected. Who ther they are all going to be for the best we can only leave to the future to determine for us, but at present the general trfend that affairs hare taken neod not be discounted to any material extent. The advent of the Union Parliament has not proved advantageous so far as Johannesburg, at least, is concerned, but whether it will eventually display its benefits as a medium of government it is perhaps a bit premature, as yet, to give an opinion." Speaking from his personal observation, he could not say that matters had taken the turn that he anticipated.

The diamond mining fields, for which South Africa and Johannesburg have' become famous, were touched upon by the traveller, who had had intimate connection with the industry. 7 'over there." he went on, "the contract system of mining is in vogue, and great wages are earned by many of the miners, providing;, of course, that the ground is fairly well endowed with ore. Eiehtv pounds a month is n wtyje not above tfhe average, and in some cases as much as £120 a month is earned. The good times, of course, have to go with the bad.

"The money may seem good, but the prevalence of the disease known as miners' phthisis permeates the mining business with a potent drawback," the visitor remarked. He went on to explain that seven years was usually the limit to a man's worth in the diamond mines. The disease to the lay mind was somewhat akin to consumption, and a period of nine or ten months will suffice to terminate the earthly career of its unfortunate victim. It takes ite root in the lungs of the miner, and is roally germinated by the continual shower of dust that the drills, hourly and daily, pour into the huma v n frame of their operators.

The purging of the mining industry of the employment of Chinese labor, the South African characterised as a. commendable step. "But," he added, "the Kaffir is beginning to embrace educational privileges which must eventually bring the native into a plane above that which he now occupies and make him a power to bet contended with in the future.

"With our high rate of pay comes a corresponding uplift in the price of living. In my own city," said the visitor, "4s. 6d. per do2en can be commanded for eggs, butter brings 2s. 6d. per lb., with board ranging on an average fijjure of £7 10s. per month."