PRETORIA MINERS' STRIKE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8453, 1 June 1907, Page 5

PRETORIA MINERS' STRIKE.

BITTER INDUSTRIAL STRUGGLE. Received May 31, 8.27 a.m. PRETORIA, May 30. Mr George Albu, one of the leaders of the German group of mine-owners on the Rand, addressing a general meeting of the Finance Corporation of Johannesburg,, declared that the rnine-owners were prepared for a prolonged struggle, settling disputes for all time. It had long been realised that a large proportion of the miners were grossly inefficient, and that the number employed underground was excessive. The mine-owners, added Mr Albu, were reluctant to discharge men in bad times, but the strike had removed the sentimental factor, and had afforded an opportunity for farreaching reforms. He predicted that the mines would, in Vuture be run with fifteen to twenty per cent, fewer of the highly-paid labourers. If the struggle was prolonged, Afrikanders would, Mr /ilbu said, fill the strikers' places us supervisors of the natives. Received May 31, 9.30 p.m. PRETORIA, May 31,. General Botha was enthusiastically welcomed at Pretoria. He approved of the Government's attitude towards the strike, and hoped the miners would soon regain [their common sense.