of the importation of Chinese labour to the mines bears
a striking. resemblance to other petitions got up in the Transvaal. The methods which are being_ adopted by the mining authorities in the Transvaal to obtain signatures for
this petition are those 'of pure compulsion. A well-known Mining engineer, writes this week as follows :—
"Coercion is a very real thing' here. In many cases it is a question of signing the petition or dismissal. I myself have been requested four times this week either to sign petitions in favour of Chinamen, or else to go to meetings and put up both hands with the same object. Two days ago I was handed a list with my name upon it, asking me to sign it in favour of Asiatic labour, or else to state why I did not- sign. A well-known firm are paying men 30s. a day to stand at street corners and obtain, signatures, A, number of men were practically ordered last week to go from
the Mine and interrupt a meeting of the anti-Chinese party, railway fares being paid." •
These quotations might be indefinitely multiplied. The heads of the mining firms in Johannesburg take advantage of their position practically to compel their employes to support these petitions, and inasmuch as the only-possibility of preventing the introduction of-Chinese labour is decided action on the part of the Home Government, it is essential that these facts should be 'widely known.I am, Sir, &e.,
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