HC Deb 13 July 1908 vol 192 c398
MR. FELL (Great Yarmouth)

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if the experiment of finding work in the mines of the Transvaal for the unemployed white workmen has now been concluded; if it has been successful; how many men were found work; and how many are now continuing to work.

THE UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Colonel SEELY,) Liverpool, Abercromby

The employment of unskilled white labour I believe continues, and according to the Chamber of Mines Executive Committee's Report for May, which is the latest information received, the mines had been asked to find work for a further 350 men, and 126 had actually been placed. The cost of the work is at present somewhat higher than that of Kaffirs.

MR. FELL

Do those men remain on the mines?

COLONEL SEELY

Some remain and some do not.

MR. FELL

Is it not owing to the fact that white men refuse to do work that a large amount of the trouble in the Transvaal has arisen?

[No Answer was returned.]