606 MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 



(8) Advances. Advances are paid on all labour con- 

 tracts when made. 



For labourers engaged in Java on the basis of the 

 Recruiting Ordinance, in so far as they are not mech- 

 anics or craftsmen, such advances may not exceed f. 15 

 for the unmarried and f. 20 for the married men, part 

 of which is payable on arrival at the estate. 



In all other cases advances are given of from f. 15 

 to f. 90, according to the length of time for which the 

 contracts have been made. 



The contract provides that such advances shall be 

 repaid by means of monthly deductions from the wages, 

 such deductions, however, not to exceed one-quarter 

 of the monthly wage earned. 



(9) Feeding. On agricultural estates the employer 

 does not, as a rule, provide all the food for the labourers. 

 The employer, however, generally stipulates in the 

 contract that the wages shall be paid partly in the form 

 of full board, for which, as a rule, not more than 14 

 cents per day is charged. Most employers, however, 

 only confine themselves to offer the chief article of food, 

 rice, for sale to the labourers at a fixed price. 



On mining estates, as a rule, the whole of the food 

 is provided for the mine workers free. 



(10) Medical Treatment and Housing. The authorities 

 demand expert treatment by fully qualified European 

 or Native medical men, as well as proper nursing, 

 including nourishment. 



Some estates have their own hospital to which a 

 European or Native physician is attached; others send 

 the sick labourers to the Government dispensaries, where 

 the patients, if opportunity offers, can be treated and 

 nursed against payment, but in most cases a number 

 of estates unite in erecting a central hospital. Those 

 suffering from slight leg or foot wounds, as well as 

 those who feel unwell for a day or two, remain in a 

 simple sick ward on the estate, but all other sick patients 

 are sent to the central hospital for treatment and 

 nursing. 



Great expense is incurred by a number of employers 

 in the medical treatment of the labourers on their 



