Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 08.djvu/571

LEFT SOUTH AFRICA 499 SOUTH AFRICA poultry. The export of wool in 1918 amounted to over 115,634,000 pounds, of mohair to over 19,600,000 pounds, of hides to over 12,500,000 pounds, of skins to over 30,275,000 pounds, and of mealies to over 509,000,000 pounds. Both the production of cotton and sugar is on the increase. The total extent of forest reserve areas in 1919 was about 2,092,000 acres. The importance of the dairying industry is steadily growing, and in 1918 the pro- duction of butter amounted to about 20,000,000 pounds, and of cheese to about 6,000,000 pounds. Irrigation is becoming of greater importance every year, and in 1917-18 the government expenditure for irrigation amounted to more than £500,- 000. Manufactures. — As a result of the World War and the shortage of shipping facilities caused by it, the local manufac- tures of the Union received a great im- petus. Among the most important indus- tries are the production of leather, cement, beer, matches, tobacco, dynamite, soap, rope, furniture, vehicles, etc. The indus- trial census of 1917-18 showed a gross production of £60,828,440 in 5,919 facto- ries, with a total capital of £53,171,000, and an average number of employees of 134,211, of whom 49,908 were white. Mining. — Gold mining is the chief source of the Union's wealth. In 1918 the total amount of gold mined was 18,- 252,000 fine oz., valued at £35,759,000. The total value of diamonds was £7,115,- 000 and of coal £3,225,000. Copper, tin, lime, silver, salt, and asbestos are other important mineral products, and the total value of the mineral output of the Union in 1918 was £47,737,738. In the various mining industries there were employed in 1918, 295,804 persons, of whom 32,820 were white. Commerce. — The total value of imports and exports, exclusive of specie, in 1913, the last year previous to the World War, were respectively £41,828,841 and £66,- 569,364. In 1918 they were respectively £49,487,168 and £32,949,237. Over 50% of the imports of general merchandise in 1918 came from the United Kingdom, about 14% from British possessions, or a total of over 67% from the British Em- pire. The United States leads all the foreign countries in imports, with a total value of £6,771,238, or 13.8% of the total. Japan, the Belgian Congo, Sweden, Bra- zil, Argentine, Switzerland, France and Holland are the other countries from which imports of considerable value are made. Shipping and Communications. — In 1918 the total number of vessels entered from overseas was 1,036, of 2,989,000 tons net, and the total number of coast- wise vessels was 1,780 of 2,541,000 tons net. Upon the formation of the Union the former state railways of the several colonies were merged into one system, the South African railways, which is under the control of the Union Govern- ment. In 1919 the total mileage was 9,542, representing a total capital ex- penditure of over £93,000,000. For 1918- 19 the gross earnings were over £15,- 000,000, and the net loss, after payment of interest, £896,267. At the end of 1918 there were 2,623 post-offices, 15,951 miles of telegraph line, and 3,214 miles of tele- phone line. Banks. — The five banks of the Union in 1918 had a subscribed capital of £10,- 515,900, of which over £5,000,000 was paid in, and deposits of over £72,000,000. In the same year the number of deposi- tors in the government savings banks was 288,833, with deposits of over £7,- 200,000. t Government. — The Union of South Af- rica was constituted under the South Africa Act of 1909, under the terms of which the self-governing colonies of the Cape of Good Hope, Natal, the Trans- vaal, and the Orange River Colony were united on May 31, 1910, in a legislative union under one government. These col- onies became original provinces of the Union. The Governor-General, appointed by the sovereign, administers the execu- tive government of the Union, together with an executive council, the members of which are chosen by the Governor- General. Various departments of state have been established, the heads of which, not exceeding ten in number, are appointed by the Governor-General. The legislative power is vested in a Parliament consisting of the king, a Senate, and a House of Assembly. Ses- sion of Parliament must take place every year. The senate consists of 40 mem- bers, each of whom must be a British subject of European descent. The House of Assembly consists of 134 members and is elected for five years. The Cape of Good Hope elects 51, Natal 17, the Transvaal 49, and the Orange Free State 17 members. In most respects membership qualifications are similar to those existing for members of the Brit- ish Parliament. The House of Assembly originates money bills. It cannot pass a bill for taxation or appropriation un- less it has been recommended during the session by a message from the Governor- General. The right of the Senate to amend money bills is restricted. Pre- toria is the seat of the Government of the Union. Cape Town is the seat of the Legislature. Each province is ad- ministered by an administrator, appoint- ed by the Governor-General for five years, and a provincial council elected for three