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State Intervention, 1901–1904

In: Chinese Mine Labour in the Transvaal

Author

Listed:
  • Peter Richardson

    (University of Melbourne)

Abstract

The risk factor in the utilisation of Chinese labour was very considerable, and the need to control it had a very marked effect on both the character of the Transvaal experiment and its cost. Risk was located in two main areas. First, there were the risks arising from the conflict of class interests in the Transvaal which were much aggravated by Chinese importation. Second, there were the risks arising from the exploitation of the Chinese labour market. The value of Chinese labour to the mining industry meant that such risks had, of necessity, to be overcome and accommodated both within the cost structure of Chinese labour, and of unskilled labour as a whole. The primary method of dealing with these dangers was to seek the active co-operation and involvement of the State. The pattern of regulation which resulted from this combination determined much of the character of the Chinese experiment, and dictated the area of cost control which was available to the mining industry. The paradoxical result of this was that devices contemplated to make Chinese labour successful actually raised the unit cost of its introduction and employment.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Richardson, 1982. "State Intervention, 1901–1904," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Chinese Mine Labour in the Transvaal, chapter 2, pages 27-46, Palgrave Macmillan.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palchp:978-1-349-04889-2_3
    DOI: 10.1007/978-1-349-04889-2_3
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