ASIATIC LABOUR IN THE TRANSVAAL
[To THE EDrroa OF THE " SPECTAT011.1 'Bin,—Your readers must have read with much interest in the Spectator of October 24th that, while approving with reluctance of the introduction of Asiatic labour in the Transvaal as a temporary measure, you once more repeat arguments of great weight urging that the strictest precautions should be taken to secure the repatriation of this class of labour at the termination of their period of service. There are few patriotic Britishers who can hold any different opinion, or who feel that it would be less than deplorable that, after the sacrifices made for South Africa, it should be made into a place for colonisation by Asiatics, and not by our own rapidly increasing surplus population whose heritage it is. On the other hand, it is disappointing to find no explanation as to why, white labour being dear in Australia as well as in South Africa (and there can be no irremovable reason why it should be dearer in South Africa than in Australia, where it is very dear), low- grade mines in the latter place can (also with a more refrac- tory quartz to deal with) make large profits, and those in South Africa; with a higher yield to the ton, say they cannot do without Asiatics. The following is from a quarterly report just received from an eleven-pennyweight-to-the-ton mine in Queensland which pays large dividends :--" The operations for the quarter are as follows :-20,300 tons crushed for a yield of 10,232 ozs. 10 dwts. 18 grains of smelted gold of a value of £36,021 5s. 9d. The cost per ton was 178. 9-65d., which I think may be considered very satisfactory." It would be interesting to know whether, even with the assistance of Asiatic labour, the Transvaal mines could work at a lower rate per ton than the above. If not, why not? It would appear to be most desirable in the interests of the Colony for the Government of the Transvaal to offer facilities to certain mines to make a practical trial of working the mines on the
Australian basis.—I am, Sir, &c., R. H.
[We have repeatedly asked this question, but have never been able to get a satisfactory answer from the representatives of the mine-owners. We only expressed our most reluctant acquiescence in the introduction of Asiatic labour because it seems impossible at present to get the mines to work fully without it, and we are most anxious that they should work fully an order to stimulate the flow of a general white population to the Transvaal. Our trust is that this new white popu- lation when self-government comes will insist on the use of white labour in the mines.—En. Spectator.]
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