148 



It also seems significant to note that in Ceylon, where conditions 

 most nearly approximate our own, the absconding of free coolies is 

 considered an offence and adequately punished. 



Now that agriculture in these States promises to become a Staple 

 Industry, reasonable protection by Government of the great interests 

 involved can surely be expected. 



We feel certain that the gravity of the situation is not realized 

 outside planting circles and equally sure, that, once realized, Govern- 

 ment will not tarry to immediately cause a clause as aforesaid to be 

 inserted in our Labour Enactment. 



Representation . 



So many large and important questions have arisen affecting the 

 future of the Planting Community which has now become an integral 

 part of the Malay States that the time is rapidly coming, if it has 

 not already come, when your Association should ask Government to 

 allow them a Planting Member on each of the State Councils. To 

 quote instances, where the opinion of Planters might profitably have 

 been obtained before legislation, we only instance the Labour En- 

 actment ; the new Land Rules ; the raising of the Export duty ; 

 Hospitals ; treatment of ores, etc. 



As for the Labour Enactment for instance, this ordinance was 

 passed without any reference to your Association, and in many ways 

 it has proved of the greatest disadvantage to us. Had similar 

 clauses to those obtained in the Chinese Mining and Agricultural 

 Labourers Ordinance been included in the General Labourers Ordin- 

 ance, we should have had little to complain of. We trust we shall 

 soon be able to see the necessary amendments carried into effect, 

 but had the Ordinance been previously discussed by your Com- 

 mittee such amendments would have been unnecessary. Consider- 

 able delays have arisen, and much annoyance given to many would 

 be investors by the long delay in the granting of land and had 

 Government consulted you before determining their basis of rental 

 it would not have been necessary for a subsequent version of the 

 terms settled in December. As Government has always shewn itself 

 willing to meet us on all points we have brought to their notice, we 

 trust the day is not far off, when we shall have a Member of Council 

 assisting the Government in any legislative action that may be 

 necessary, and likely to affect your interests. 



Director of Agriculture. 



During the past year the Director of Agriculture has taken up 

 his appointment. He has necessarily been much occupied in orga- 

 nizing his Department and as soon ab that is done we are in hopes 

 that he will be in a position to deal with the white ant question 

 which continues on some places to be a source of trouble to Hevea. 

 The Curator of the Selangor Museum has written a treaties on 

 white ants but there remains still much to be done in the study of 

 their natural history, manners and customs. We trust an Entomo- 

 logist will soon be appointed who will work in conjunction with the 

 Director of Agricultnre and assist in his enquiries into the special 



