ASIA: DUTCH INDIA. 391 



would say, speaking very conservatively, that about 3,000 reams are 

 now consumed monthly, apart from that used by the Government. 

 The revenue tax upon printing paper at Manila is 6 cents Mexican 

 (2 cents) per kilogram (2.2046 pounds). 



ROUNSEVELLE WlLDMAN, 



HONGKONG, Februa ry 14., 1899. Consul- General. 



DUTCH INDIA. 



POPULATION. % 



The population of Java and Madura numbers about 30,000,000; 

 of the other islands, about 10,000,000; making the estimated total 

 for Netherlands India 40,000,000. There has been no census since 

 1895. The above is a government estimate. About 50 per cent of 

 the people in Java know something about reading and writing; in the 

 other islands, few natives are educated. 



The people have no natural mechanical traits, but with European 

 supervision can be taught to do anything that requires no initiative 

 on their own part. 



CONSUMPTION. 



The uses of paper are for newspaper, wrapping, and letter; also 

 cardboard boxes and straw paper for sugar factories. This latter is 

 the only industry here requiring paper. 



The prices per kilogram for paper, delivered at the outer port of 

 Batavia, are: 



Cents. 



Fine note paper 20 



Ordinary foolscap 14 



Wrapping paper ... 10 



News paper (about) 7 



Straw paper (about) 2 



These prices were given me by one of the leading publishers and 

 stationers here G. Kolff & Co. 



The terms of sale are usually three to six months' credit. 



The quantity of news paper consumed in Dutch India during the 

 year is probably about 350,000 kilograms (771,610 pounds). 



There are no paper firms, companies, or brokers. 



There are between 60 and 70 different publications, either daily, 

 weekly, or monthly, in Netherlands India; also about 20 printers 

 and publishers; and 30 stationers, some of whom are included in 

 the 20 printers and publishers. These figures are from government 

 almanac and from my own estimates. 



