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remedy the state of affairs. He admits that matters have got be3^ond 

 his control and he has also informed me that he has sent in his 

 resignation. He has been frequently absent from the estate on other 

 business and no one is left in charge who has power to deal with 

 emergencies. In these circumstances it is necessary to ask the Council 

 to confer powers on the Government to see that this state of things 

 shall exist no longer. This is the only the possible way to deal with 

 such a case. As I stated before this is only a temporary measure, 

 because the Labour Bill will soon be before the Council. 



The Acting Resident of Perak seconded the motion. 



Mr. Parr translated the Bill into the Malay language. 



Mr. H. D. Griffiths: I do not see m.y way clear to support this 

 Bill, and in saying so I think I have quite sufficient reason. The 

 Chief Secretary has given us the outline of the Bill, pointing out the 

 necessity there is for the Bill to go through. I did not hear the whole 

 of his speech, but I gathered enough to understand that the Govern- 

 ment consider the proposed measure absolutely necessary. My first 

 point of objection to the reading of the Bill is that it has never been 

 submitted to us before this meeting. As a rule a Bill is submitted to 

 the Unofficial Members and then published in the Gazette. 



By that means a Bill becomes generally known and an opportu- 

 nity is given to the people it affects to discuss it. In the present 

 circumstances we have not been given the slightest inkling. It has 

 been sprung upon us. The Government cannot expect an Unofficial 

 Member to study such a Bill as this one in five minutes and pass it. 

 It is asking too much. As far as I can see from its working the Bill 

 is likely to have far-reaching effects on all employers of labour and 

 will affect them, to my mind, in a detrimental manner. It is only fair 

 that the people interested — people who employ large forces of labour 

 in this country — should be given an opportunity to see the Bill. Why 

 are we compelled to make a special Bill ? Would not the Government 

 make rules under the present Enactments to deal with this particular 

 estate without framing a special Enactment ? 1 understand the 

 Government have instituted a special Labour Department, and I 

 suggest this department miglit deal with the case. The difficulty I 

 see if this Bill is passed into law is, that it will be difficult to upset 

 it again when we find it does not work properly. 



I think it would be a gracious act on the part of the Government 

 to give us time to consider it. If there is danger, as the Chief 

 Secretary states, will the Government give us time to bring this Bill 

 to the highest pitch of perfection. 



Mr. J. H. M. Robson said : I sympathise with the remarks made 

 by Mr. Griffiths. It is very hard for us to be suddenly presented 

 with this Bill and be asked to pass it right away. We have not had 

 lime to consider it in all its bearings. On the other hand, I quite 

 sympathise with the Government and should not like to do anything 



