280 THE RUBBER INDUSTRY 



ever, all plantation work is divided into tasks which the 

 coolie with a little additional application and energy 

 can finish by 2 p.m. This piecework system is found 

 to be more satisfactory for the estate and the coolies. 



In view of the large number of labourers employed in 

 agricultural undertakings in Java, the general standard 

 of discipline is well maintained. Occasional instances 

 of rioting and insubordination occur on plantations ; 

 these are sometimes quite unjustified, and as a rule 

 originate in an imaginary grievance not appreciated by 

 the manager or his assistants. Every now and then, 

 however, serious incidents take place and result in the 

 murder of the superintendent, but such occurrences are 

 few and far between. 



Where the system of resident colonies of labourers 

 has been established, each family has a house, or part of 

 a house, allotted to them, or land is given to them on 

 which they can build for themselves and remain in 

 possession as long as they continue working on the 

 estate. In many cases plots of land are also allowed to 

 them for the cultivation of fruits and vegetables for their 

 own use. The food is rice, curry-stuffs, fruit, vegetables, 

 and occasionally pork or poultry, but meat is rarely eaten. 

 All provisions are purchased at the neighbouring villages. 



Health conditions vary greatly in Java. In the high- 

 lands there is not a great deal of malaria, but dysentery 

 and smallpox are not infrequent. In the district of 

 Malang an outbreak of bubonic plague occurred in 1911, 

 and occasioned some 10,000 deaths, but no European 

 contracted it. In the low-lying districts malarial fever 

 is prevalent, and at certain seasons of the year the 

 regular practice is to administer daily doses of 5 grains 

 of quinine to every estate coolie. 



