The debate on the question of Chinese labour opened in
the Transvaal Legislative Council on Monday. Sir George Farrar moved a Resolution requesting the Government to introduce a draft ordinance providing for the importation of indentured unskilled coloured labourers to supplement the labour supply on the Witwatersrand, under such restrictions as would ensure their employment as unskilled labourers only, and their return to their native country on the completion of their contracts. He based his support of the scheme on the conviction that a prolongation of the present crisis would mean a state of bankruptcy, supported the findings of the majority Report, and contended that, given the peculiar conditions of working and cost of living, the Rand mines could not be worked more cheaply than at present. Mr. Hull, in reply, contended that the figures as to shortage had been grossly exaggerated; that the mining industry was responsible for it by lowering wages and ill-treating natives ; and maintained that there was sufficient labour for all needs if fair inducements were offered to native labourers. Sir Richard Solomon, the Attorney-General, supporting Sir George Farrar, declared his conviction that it was useless to look for the labour required for the mines in the African States. He " hurled back in Mr. Wybergh's teeth" the insinuation that the Government were under the influence of financial houses, and created some sensation by stating that Mr. Wybergh had not been dismissed for political reasons, but requested to resign for incapacity.
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