The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-06-07

/
PRETORIA, June 6.--The only fea-
ture at the present moment threaten
ing the peaceful rehabilitation of the
Transvaal is the effort being made by
| those interested in the mines to bring
Chinese labor here to supply the in
| adequacy. 1t is claimed that there are
100000 sturdy natives of the 5000. 600
south of the Zambesi. Boer and Briton
are alike determined to keep the "yel-
low seourge" out of South Africa If
possible, although it is alleged that
plans for importing $4,000 Chinese
coolies have already been rushed
through by the mine owners of the
Rand.
In a recent interview on this impor-
tant question High Commissioner Lord
Miner said:
1T may be questioned whether it
was reasonable to expect that within
less than a year of the conclusion of a
war like that just finished the mining
industry should be restored to the
greatest height of prosperity which it
had ever reached during the whole of
its present history. But, reasonable or
unreasonable, the expectation that
things would return to their old condi-
ton at once was general, and the fact
that they have not done so produced
profound disappointment. And since
there is only one reason for this slow
rate of recuperation, namely, that ma
tive laborers are not returning to the
mines as fast as was expected, public
attention has been focused upon the
question of native labor. The problem
is, no doubt, one, difficult of solution.
Eaborers Scarce.
eff it was merely a question of in
creasing the $4,000 natives whom we
have in the mines today to the 100, 900
which was the maximum before the
war, the difficulty which is being ex-
perienced, though annoying, would not
be so serious. That we shall get back
to 100000, though perhaps very slowly,
may be regarded as certain. But the
troublesome fact is that, with the i'm
mense development of which the mines
are capable, they would soon be in a
position to employ 100000, and even a
larger number If they could get them
At the same time the demand for ma
tive labor in other directions is in
creasink daily. Besides the gold mines
Of the Rand there are other gold mines
in the Transyaal to be worked or test
ed, If there are only the hands to do it.
The immense deposits of coal are only
at the beginning of their development,
to say nothing Of the wholly unworked
stores of iron, copper and other min
erals. Public works and railways and
the development Of private enterprise
in many new directions will all height
en- the demand for labor, and the sup
ply of native labor, at any rate south
of the Zambesi, is limited. Estimates
vary as to it's total amount, rbutCit can
hardly be doubted that 1t is not sufa-
cient to provide for all the possible de-
velopments of the early future.
Many Solutions Offered.
There is an infinite variety of sugges-
lions for the solution of the problem thus
presented, but so far no panacea has
emerged from the Babel Of conflicting
theories. The loudest, but by no means
the best informed or most influential,
section clamor for the adoption of meas
When closely examined all the rhada-
montade on this subject resolves itself
into the advocacy of higher taxation on
the native population. For my own part
think, and always have thought, that
the natives OF South Africa, who enjoy
the blessings of civilized government,
contribute, on the whole, too little towards
the expenses of the administration by
which they benefit so greatly. No doubt
the rate of taxation ought to vary ac-
cord1ng to circumstances OF the several
districts. No one would ever dream Of
putting the inhabitants of poverty-strick-
en- Bechuanaland on the same level in this
respect as their far more prosperous
neighborS on the east of the Limpopo, or
the Basutos. or the Tembus. But hav-
ing regard to the circumstances Of each
region. 1t may be said that the taxation
of the natives is nowhere excessive and
is in most cases decidedly light while the
taxation Of the white population is al
most everywhere heavy.
sit Is unfortunate that II is impossible
to discuss this question on its merits
without being accused of Interior designs.
In my opinion, 1t would be unjustifable
to put a high tax upon the native simply
In order to force him to work, even If it
were clear. and 1t is by no means clear,
that he Is averse to work without it. But,
on the other hand. it, certainly appears
absurd to denounce the imposition upon
the native of q reasonable share of tax
alton merely because such a proceeding
In itself just, might incidentally cause
him to work rather more than he other
wise would. The two questions are indie
pendent of one another, and 1t is unfortu-
nate from every point of view that they
are so constantly mixed up.
Natives Are Taxed High.
"In the particular case of the natives
of the Transvaal. which most Immediate
ly concerns us. there is, in my Judgment
peculiarly little occasion for controver-
sy. The tax imposed last year, e 2 per
p ftfTt