The Daily Chronicle of Monday publishes an interesting interview with
Mr. Abe Bailey, the well-known South African capitalist. On the whole, Mr. Bailey is distinctly optimistic. Much useful work has already been done by the new Parlia- ment, he declares, and in many matters the Opposition have found themselves at one with the Government. Mr. Bailey went on to declare that agriculture and mining had never been so flourishing and farmers never so prosperous. With regard to mining, the reduction of the cost of working through improved methods was very remarkable. " By this means the lower grades of ore are being rendered capable of profitable treatment, and the life of the industry is being indefinitely prolonged." Mr. Bailey's most significant state- ment was made, however, at the close of his interview. Though be had supported the introduction- of the Chinese, he remarked that they had played their part, and that they could now be repatriated by degrees without greatly dis- organising the industry. Owing to the improvement in machine hand-drills, fewer natives were now required under- ground. There is no need to dwell upon this statement. It goes far to justify what we have so often contended in regard to Chinese labour.
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