596 THE NATIVES IN THE LARGER TOWNS. 



the Natives who have partially adopted our style of dress. . . . The 

 evils are not inseparable from European dress, but arise from an 

 imperfect understanding of the laws of health.* 



The filthy rags, which uut too uxlc.i are made to pass muster 

 as Native clothing-, are not infrequently worn m ihat state because 

 any attempt to cleanse them would result m complete dissolution. 

 Clothing for what is known as the " Native trade "' is not always 

 durable enough to survive the casualties of the wash-tub, and the 

 owner naturally avoids unnecessary extravagance in wear and 

 tear. 



It would be a great blessing to the Natives and ourselves if 

 clothing to be imported for them were to be standardised as to 

 material and make, so that it could be designed to stand rough 

 wear, and washing at frequent intervals. 



Housing of Natives. 



In all the larger towns of the Union the housing of Natives, 

 whether as families, domestic servants or workers in stores, ware- 

 houses, shops or factories, is a problem that demands immediate 

 attention. The conditions existing to-day are doing more to 

 propel the tide of demoralisation and discontent among the 

 Natives than any other factor in the body politic, but the subject 

 is one which does not admit of free discussion. 



The conditions are in many instances a disgrace to civilisa- 

 tion, and they are not without their serious reactions on the Euro- 

 pean community. 



Native families are in increasing numbers coming to live in 

 the towns, and when no dwellings are provided for them in loca- 

 tions they, by force of circumstances, drift into the meanest 

 quarters of the town, where their associations and home life 

 quickly find community with the lowest of the European or Indian 

 classes there. 



The failure of the Town Councils to grapple with the problem 

 is attributable to the financial difficulty, and to the fact that the 

 Natives, not being ratepayers, have, naturally, received the kind 

 of consideration whidh is only second best. 



The housing of Natives in urban locations has coiisequentlv 

 not attained a high standard. What was said of these locations 

 by the South African Native Afifairs Commission in 190.S, is true 

 of most of them to~day. . . . 



In some respects their condition leaves much to he desired. The 

 Natives who reside in or frequent these locations are in the main working 

 people. The tendency of inadequate accommodation is to make them 

 dissatisfied and restless ; the standard of comfort is low, and they are 

 liable to be overcrowded and overcharged. 



It is an important and encouraging point to observe that 

 wherever the financial difficulty is less acute, there a measure 

 of success in the establishment of urban locations has been 

 achieved. 



* South African Native Affairs Commission. 



