South Africa

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 47, 16 July 1914, Page 5

South Africa

THE DOMINIONS COMMISSION'S REPORT. BETTBR COMMUNICATION URGED. i!.v Cable.—Press Association.—Oopyrijlit Received 15, 11.30 p.m. London, July IS. The Dominions Commi.sison's South African report suggests the amalgamation of the Rand mines into a single trust. The only disadvantage wonld be the creation of an interest so powerful as to be a menace to Government authority. The present system of recruiting black labor was expensive and ineffective, but white labor is discontented, unstable and often unsuited to be In authority over the natives. Regarding agriculture, there was the most pressing need for scientific water conservation. The report advocates extensive dairy farming, opening up the country for settlers, and inducing immigration. Farmers need from £IOOO to £2OOO to start in South Africa, wh-ro there is little co-operation among dairy farmers a* compared with Australia an* Now Zealand, but the co-operative movement is making strides. The Commission recalls its remarks in its second interim report upon fhe general advantages of the Cape route for Australian [ and New Zealand mails. It Is insufficiently realised that the route from Britain to Adelaide, via the Cape, is only six hundred knots longer than via Gibraltar and Suez, and it is a matter fir surprise that no serious effort is made to organise a joint mail service between Africa and Australia. Before further contracts are completed there should be consultations between the British and dominion Governments. The Commissioners urge authorities not to rest until week-end cables of *en or twelve words can be transmitted throughout the dominions for an inclusive charge of five shillings. Such messages would afford the people of the Empire the means of maintaining family and national relations, to which they are legitimately entitled. The Commissioners strongly commend week-end press messages, which might well be sent at a penny a word up to a hundred Words, and "protest agaia3t the high press cable rates between South Africa and the other dominions.