Again, we may ask how was it that Mr. Balfour,
who is 80 strongly in favour of Colonial Conferences, was not willing to call a Colonial Conference, and refer to it a question which the participation of the Colonies in the conquest of South Africa made one peculiarly appropriate for such a reference P Mr. Balfour speaks as if the introduction of Chinese coolie labour into South Africa were no new departure. He forgets that South Africa is a white man's country—i.e., a country of white settlers soon to receive self-government,—and that into such countries indentured Chinese or Indian coolies have never been admitted under the conditions now prevailing in the Transvaal. Public opinion only allows them in the Transvaal under restrictions affecting their personal liberty which do not obtain elsewhere. Mr. Balfour, again, is mistaken in thinking that it is universally admitted that white unskilled labour cannot be used in the mines. It has been used, and it was put an end to, not because the labourers objected to the work, but because the mine-owners alleged that it was not economically successful. Mr. Creswell was not met by any obstacles from the point of view of racial prejudice.
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