§ Mr. JOHN WARDasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the number of white workmen now employed on, in, or about the Transvaal mines; and the proportion of British subjects amongst the same?
§ Colonel SEELYThe number employed on mines in the Transvaal in July was 23,755, of whom 22,021 were employed on gold mines. The Secretary of State has no information as to the proportion of British subjects. I will endeavour to obtain the information.
§ Colonel WARDEasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the number of Europeans employed in the Transvaal mines during the period when the maximum number of indentured Chinese labourers were so employed, and the numbers of Europeans and coloured labour, respectively, so employed at the latest date up to which statistics are available?
§ Colonel SEELYIn January, 1907, when the maximum number of Chinese were employed, the number of whites employed on the Transvaal gold mines was 17,874, the number of Chinese being 53,856 and of natives 102,477. The figures for July last are: Whites, 22,021; Chinese, 5,360; natives, 171,100.
§ Mr. J. WARDCan the hon. Gentleman say when the last of the Chinese are going to disappear?
§ Colonel SEELYVery soon. In January the contracts expire, and within a very short time after that they will be gone.