THE LABOUR SUrPLY. 215 



and sugar, or other luxuries, the opportunity of buying 

 these thinfys at a moderate rate should be n^iven them. 

 On a large farm by far the best plan is to have a little 

 shop for them, where, besides groceries, they can ob- 

 tain such things as boots, blankets, knives, handkerchiefs, 

 cord clothing, cnlico, prints, pipes, &c. This need only 

 be opened for an hour in the evening, and here the wages 

 book should be kept, so that they can always hear how 

 their account stands. This is an advantage whicli the 

 natives fully appreciate : it gives them a direct inte- 

 rest in their wages, keeps them to some extent from 

 spending their money in the canteens, and holds out a 

 great inducement to the women to work when required. 

 No license is necessary, so long as things are sold only 

 to the employes. It costs the farmer nothing, as he can 

 put on a per-centage sufficient to cover the expenses ; it 

 encourages the natives to clothe themselves and their 

 children to some extent, and is in every way an ad- 

 vantage. 



Eows often take place on a farm about men not 

 turning out in tlie morning, and the length of time they 

 take at meals. Much of this can be avoided by having 

 a good big bell, to be rung at the proper times. After 

 a time the men get to like it, and much botlier is saved, 

 whilst it keeps master and all employed up to time. 



Some years ago, being on a visit to Natal, and labour 



