39 



II. Medical Staff on Estates. 



The Chairman informs the Meeting that the Government had 

 under consideration a scheme, whereby they would provide all the 

 necessary staff and second same for service on the various estates, as 

 required. This would do away with all the present difficulties the 

 planters were labouring under. The Secretary might write in and 

 find out, how far this matter had progressed. 



The Secretary is instructed accordingly. 



Mr. Burgess asks for details of the Bailey Memorial Fund. 



The Secretary, being unable to give these particulars without 

 reference to his books, is instructed to submit these at the next 

 meeting. 



12. Absconding. 



Mr. Jarvis asks whether the Enactment making absconding a 

 criminal offence has yet come in force. 



The Chairman understands that the Enactment, as originally 

 gazetted, did not meet the views of the Secretary of State for the 

 Colonies, and that another Bill is in preparation. 



13. Indian Labour. 



Mr. Harvey enquires whether it is legal for the Indian Immigra- 

 tion Department to demand the discharge of a coolie on tendering 

 themselves a month's wages in lieu of notice. 



The Legal Adviser is requested to look into this point and to 

 give his opinion thereon. 



Mr. Gibson enquires whether a coolie recruited for an estate 

 from India, but who has worked previously on another estate, is 

 considered to belong to the former or to the latter estate. 



The Chairman says that undoubtedly the cooHe belonged to the 

 estate who recruited him. 



14. Recruiting Commission. 



Mr. Gibson suggests that something be done to remove the 

 discrepancy between the amounts paid to kanganies by the various 

 estates for recruiting purposes. Some estates paid their kanganies 

 as much as three and four times as much as others, and it was found 

 these well-paid kanganies stayed at the depots in India and waited 

 the arrival of other kanganies bringing coolies forward from up 

 country. An equal rate should be authorized by the Immigration 

 Committee and thus prevent this anomaly. 



The Chairman recommends that the amount be stated on the 

 licence, and that the Indian Immigration Committee be asked to fix a 

 maximum commission. 



