H7 



40 deaths and 155 cases of desertion. In Selangor 5,002 coolies 

 were imported from India and 402 recruited locally; 241 coolies 

 died and 1,091 deserted. 



The ratio of deaths is 27*66 per mille of the average population in 

 Negri Sembilan, and 37*27 in Selangor. If the ratio is taken on 

 the actual number of coolies who passed through the estates, — the 

 fluctuating population — it works out at 17*55 and 22*83 per mille 

 respectively. 



The Superintendent took the average of work done by coolies on 

 35 estates and found that each cooly worked on an average of 21*11 

 days out of 26 working days in a month. He considers this an ex- 

 cellent average, as indeed it is, and one which tends to show the 

 healthy conditions, under which the coolies work. 



What great number of coolies however are still required, will be 

 easily seen by the fact that during 1905, 278 licenses were issued 

 in Selangor alone, the number of coolies authorized to be recruited 

 being 11,346 whilst up to the middle of March, 1906, already 221 

 licences have been issued to recruit 9,722 coolies, and with the ex- 

 tensive openings in contemplation, at least twice that number will 

 in all probability be applied for. 



Whilst we fully appreciate the action of Government in recogniz- 

 ing the previous disabilities under which we worked, we sincerely 

 trust that though these difficulties have largely v been met; Govern- 

 ment will be able in future years to continue this free ticket system, 

 for it must not be forgotten that every additional cooly brought into 

 the country is an added source of revenue and wealth. Large capi- 

 tal has been introduced in the past few years and far more is still 

 likely to be attracted, and we confidently appeal to Government to 

 continue their assistance. 



Labour Ordinance. 



The working of this Enactment has given rise to very great dis- 

 satisfaction in all planting circles. Under its provisions it has been 

 found impossible to obtain any redress for absconding coolies as the 

 only penalty to free labourers for absconding is forfeiture of wages, 

 which if the cooly is already under advances as is usually the case 

 is nil, as there are no wages due. 



The omission of any adequate penalty for absconding as far as 

 Free Tamil Agricultural Coolies are concerned, seems all the more 

 extraordinary, since under the Chinese Agricultural Labour Enact- 

 ment a fine of $10- or imprisonment of 6 weeks is provided for. 



A similar cause for Indian Agricultural Free Labpurers would al- 

 most seem to have been only accidentally omitted from the present 

 Enactment and its insertion now, we feel, would only be an act of 

 justice, placing as it would, every nationality on the same footing. 



Moreover a similar provision was embodied in the Labour Enact- 

 ment which was superseded by the present one, and worked then to 

 the satisfaction of all. 



