§ SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if the official Returns in the Colonial Office materially traverse the statement that the employment of whites upon the producing mines of the rand increased from 10,122 in May, 1904, to 14,927, or 47 per cent., in August, 1906.
§ THE UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. CHURCHILL,) Manchester, N. W.It should be borne in mind that a non-producing mine becomes a producing mine as soon as the shaft strikes the auriferous reef, and persons working in it are by this simple fact transferred to a producing mine.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTI did not ask as to that.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe number of persons employed in producing mines upon the Rand has tended therefore steadily to increase during the period specified in the Question of the hon. and gallant Gentleman and his figures are in substance correct. But it would be erroneous to suppose that these figures indicate a higher proportion of white men to coloured, of white men to stamps 608 working or to output produced, or to profit realised, or even of drills to stamps; for in every one of these particulars the conditions of the industry have deteriorated during the period in question.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTasked if it was usual for a Minister in replying to a Question to volunteer information not asked for.
§ MR. CHURCHILLIn answering the Question I was anxious that my Answer should not mislead the House.