PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS SECTION E. 109 



fectious disease is almost always prevalent in a more or less serious 

 form. In the one location where an adequate attempt had been 

 made to keep vital statistics the rate of infantile mortality in one 

 year was 450 per 1,000, and of the births in that year more than 

 half were of parents not united in wedlock by either European 

 ceremony or Native custom. In most cases the Natives in the 

 municipal locations were exploited for the purpose of municipal 

 revenue. Thus of the 217 towns reporting to the Secretary of 

 Native Affairs for the year 1916-1917, the last year for which 

 figures are published, no fewer than 191 derived more revenue 

 from Native sources than they expended on Native services. Sixty- 

 four towns which received revenue from Natives varying from £2 

 to £806 are reported as spending "nil" on expenditure for Natives. 

 Among the questions awaiting investigation by the sociologist 

 are the following : — 



1. The origin, nature, and extent of the alleged anti- 



white propaganda in South Africa. 



2. Native political organisations. 



3. Ninevites and other secret societies among Natives. 



4. Isitabane and organisations for vicious purposes. 



5. Native child labour in towns. 



6. Native night schools and their work. 



7. The Native press with special reference to its ver- 



nacular articles. 



8. The proprietary medicine trade among Natives. 



9. The Native Church with special reference to separatist 



movements. 



10. A survey of the racial, religious, housing and economic 

 conditions of an urban Native location. 



Conclusion. 



I make no apology for having laid before you a series of 

 questions rather than a set of answers, but I do so because those 

 engaged in the administration of Native affairs want your help. 

 Our neglect of a scientific treatment of the Native question has 

 not only become a reproach but is now a positive danger, and if 

 it is not yet time to cry "All hands to the pumps" it is time for 

 those responsible for the formulation of a Native policy to seek 

 the aid of the scientists. Of generalisations about the Native 

 question we have perhaps enough, but of scientifically developed 

 researches there is a great dearth. Our Section is, I believe, the 

 youngest of the children of the Association, yet its work is vital 

 to the existence of the European in South Africa. The press has 

 alwavs shown itself willing to help, bodies are not wanting to 

 publish volumes on Native matters which by reason of their limited 

 sale are not taken up in the ordinary course of business, the public 

 is willing to be educated on this vital matter, and if, by reason of 

 the position I hold in Native work, I can follow up a suggestion 

 made at this meeting and constitute myself a clearing house for 

 research on Native affairs, I shall be glad and honoured. 



