132 

 20. Education on Estates. 



The Secretary reads the following letter : 



No. 2 in 1516/1912, Kuala Lumpur, 



The Chairman, 2;th February, 1912. 



The Planters' Association of Malaya, 



Kuala Lumpur. 



Sir, — With the increase in the number of Tamil Immigrants many 

 of whom bring their children with them it has become necessary to 

 consider the question of affording such children facilities for acquir- 

 ing in this country the rudiments of education in their own vernacular. 



That the absence of such provision is likely to have some effect 

 in keeping out of the country desirable immigrants can hardly be 

 doubted apart from the consideration of the welfare of the children 

 themselves and the main point to be considered seems to be the best 

 method of making such provision. 



The better course would appear to be for the schools to be pro- 

 vided and maintained by the employers of Tamil Labour the Govern- 

 ment undertaking the necessary supervision and rendering such 

 assistance in the way of contributions to the cost of the schools as may 

 be considered fair and reasonable but the matter is one upon which 

 the Government would be glad to have the views of the planters 

 generally and I am to ask you to be good enough to bring it before 

 your Association. 



I have, etc., 

 (Sd.) A. H. LEMON, 

 Under-Secretary, F.M.S. 



Mr. Cruickshank explains at length the existing system of night 

 schools in Ceylon. 



Mr. Skinner bears out the usefulness of having the children on 

 estates taught the three R's in the vernacular; but feels strongly that 

 both English and Religion should be severely left alone. 



Resolved that this Association is in favour of Night Schools, as 

 already existing on several estates, that Reading, Writing and Arith- 

 metic be taught in Tamil, and that the estates should provide the 

 teacher and building ; and the Secretary is instructed to reply accord- 

 ingly to the Under Secretary, F.M.S. 



The Meeting terminates at 1. 15 p.m. 



(Sd.) H. C. E. ZACHARIAS. 



Secretary. 



