The Unemployed in South Africa. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2896, 15 September 1909, Page 25

The Unemployed in South Africa. TO THE EDITOR.

Sib, — For the putJic b?nefit allow m« space to say a few words about the state of the labour market in South Africa. I am British born, a mechanic (bricklayer), and married. Building operations .are almost at a complete standstill. Many. .prope<rtks are vacant, comprising shops, stores, offices, boar-ding aawJ dwelling houses, and factories. In Capetown and! suburbs hundreds of people are living in houses for which they are unable jo pay through being- out of employment. Wages have been out down to nearly starvation-, point, and scores of men are working for. whatever is offered them — 3s to 4s pw day, and glad to obtain- work at that figure.-. Many young mem, and old men, too, arQ walking about in c half-starving condition, and women aire in tie came pligiht. The" wages of shop girls and boys range from. £1 to £2 pea* month. General labourers'wages are Is 6d to 2s per day, thesa being? coloured men. There is very little chon for white men, a* there is suoh a praponideranoe of black labour for every trade and? calling ; also foreign cheap labour. Employers as a *"vie do not care who does their work so long as it done cheaply,. Contract work ie cut down very fine. Shop* ' keepers i-eeijsag the pressure are compelled to retrench by dispensing with theii staff a-nd taking an cheap labour. Rente have dropped 20 par orjit. all round. Government relief works have been in operation for years, and are still being carried on. Married men receive 2s 3d per day, ant* on this are supposed to feed a wife and family, pay rent, and clothe and feed them. Singly men (receive no pay. only their bare food and huts to live in. They araemployed at pick and shovel work and in, jutting down wood for the Government. Burglaries and* other crimes are frequents The depression is widespread from tht Zambesi to Capetown. I have been onsome of bfoee© relief works off and on, and they are not much better than a convict's life. During my 35 years' residence in South Africa I have never seen affairs £«.' bad as at the present time. The conclusion is being forced od one that South' Africa is not a white man'; country; hk labour is not valued here. The oouiratry, cannot evidently support such a large BriU ish population as at present. I trust other papers will make the facia knowaj by publishing this kttei. — I am* etc., JR. WILLIAIC ' Retreat, Capetown.

r A 20 horse-power motor lorry arrive^ last week by the 8.8. Cornwall to th< ord«r of the Post and Telegraph Depart* ment. It will be used to transfer mail* in the bulk between the Wellington rail* way station and wharves and the office. And can carry two. tons at a good rat« pf sgeed*