THE TRANSVAAL CHAMBER OF MINES' MEMO- RANDUM AND CHINESE LABOUR.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPROTATOR.1 Sin,—" Delta" in his letter in last week's Spectator on the subject of Chinese labour gives figures showing that the proportion of labourers to stamps working in 1905 is greater than in 1904. He argues that a reduction of labourers would not, therefore, be accompanied by a proportionate decrease of stamps working. In other words, he contends that the mines are Atm employing more labour than is necessary. Now, Sir, is it likely that the managers and shareholders of the mines are so careless of their own interests as to employ unnecessary labour ? If it is true that more labourers were required in 1905 than in 1904 to work an equal number of stamps, we may be quite sure that the extra expense was unavoidable. As to the proportion of white to coloured labour in 1904 and 1905, it is indeed unfortunate that " Delta" can only quote the figures relating to one single mine. The proportion he gives of coloured labour to white is two thousand to three hundred, or about seven to one, for 1905, and eight hundred and fifteen to five hundred, or less than two to one, for 1904. Whether the above figures for 1905 may ha accepted as the average throughout the mining industry I do not know ; but I am quite sure that the figures for 1904 do not represent the normal ratio between coloured and white labour. The proportion, less than two to one, is, I am convinced, far below that prevailing prior to the late war on any regularly worked mine. In the particular mine of which I had personal ex- perience the proportion was at least as great as, if not greater than, that "Delta" gives for 1904. Apart from the ethics of the 'question of Chinese labour, any one who has even the slightest acquaintance with the conditions prevailing in South Africa knows perfectly well that, so far from Chinese or native
labour supplanting white labour, the reverse is the case. It is not necessary to repeat the reasons for this. It is sufficient to say that the white man has in the past declined to work along- side the native at the same occupation and has shown no desire to change his views. However, the question whether or not Chinese labour benefits the white community will soon, we are given to understand, be banded over to those who are in the best position to decide it. It will be interesting to see whether those white men whose employment has been injured by the introduction of Chinese labour will continue to employ the yellow man or not.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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