§ CAPTAIN BAGOTI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that the rate of wages paid to the Kaffirs working on the Rand was reduced after the war, he will state whether those reduced wages are still being paid; or, if not, what is the rate at present as compared with the reduced rate, and also as compared with that previous to the war.
§ MR. LYTTELTONI would refer the hon. Member to the mining engineer's figures given at page 202 of Cd. 1895, and to the figures in Exhibit I following after page 671 of Cd. 1897, which give the rate of wages and show that a higher rate is now paid than after the war.
§ MR. FLYNN (Cork Co., N.)Has the right hon. Gentleman any objection to answer the Question on the Paper as to the present rate compared with that previous to the war?
§ *MR. LYTTELTONI think, Sir, speaking from memory, that the rate of wages before the war was 49s. 9d., while the present rate is 54s.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)asked whether it was not the fact that wages were halved, or nearly halved, immediately on the conclusion of the war.
§ *MR. LYTTELTONImmediately after the conclusion of the war, when the country was suffering, the wages were 33s.
§ MAJOR SEELY (Isle of Wight)asked whether wages were not reduced by 30 per cent, in 1897.
§ *MR. LYTTELTONI cannot carry the wages in my head for more than 571 three or tour years. My impression is that my hon. and gallant friend is right.
§ MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)What increase of wages will the Chinese get for being deported?
§ [No answer was returned.]