Page:The empire and the century.djvu/635

 Labour Importation Ordinance was passed, however, merchants realized the mistake they had made by securing excessive stocks in 1903, and the result was manifested in a very serious falling-off in the imports for the following year. For the half-year ending June 30, 1903, the value of merchandise imported was £16,742,153, and for the corresponding period of 1904 (the latest official figures obtainable), £10,484,687.

With a view to grouping the statistics, it may be convenient now to turn to two other branches of mining in South Africa which have been brought to the producing stage. The copper mines of Namaqualand have since the year 1879 contributed 160,353 tons to the world's supply of that metal, of an estimated value of £11,224,710. Fortunately for South Africa, coal is very widely distributed throughout the subcontinent, and so far Rhodesia produces that of the highest calorific value. Next in the order of merit comes Natal, where an export trade upon a small scale has been established. The following table will be interesting, not only because it shows the tons produced, but also the relative selling value in the respective territories:

Besides diamonds, gold, copper, and coal, a small quantity of tin is now coming from the Transvaal, and a great many other minerals have been proved to exist in South Africa, whether or not in payable quantities remains to be proved. Large deposits of iron ore have been located in the Transvaal, and coal-beds proved in the same neighbourhood, so that in the future the working of that metal may be profitable; but distance