2 3 8 



tap one acre of rubber at least one man would be required every day 

 year in and year out, whereas that same man could fell fifteen acres 

 in a year. 



Malays as tappers were then discussed the unanimous opinion 

 being that they did excellent work but, owing to their unwillingness 

 to turn out regularly, were too unreliable to be entrusted with this 

 important work as trees in bearing must be tapped regularly. 



It was said that Javanese had proved to be excellent tappers. 



Mr. Sperling said that Jebong Estate had had a good deal of 

 sickness among its Javanese and that their work there had not been 

 very satisfactory. 



Messrs. Boyd, Crawford and Stothard said their experience 

 was that they had done excellently on the estates under their 

 management and that they were very pleased with them. 



Mr. STOTHARD asked if it were possible to again approach the 

 Kedah Government with a view to securing its co-operation in 

 arresting deserters crossing the boundary between Kedah and the 

 Province. It was pointed out that the last time this was done, viz. 

 June 28th, 1905, the Rajah Muda's answer was that the Kedah 

 Government was powerless to take any steps in the matter under 

 the treaty in force between it and the Colony. It was decided to 

 send a copy of the correspondence to the consul and ask for his 

 advice. 



Mr. SPERLING asked if there was any limit to the ad valorem 

 export duty which the Federated Malay States Government could 

 levy. He mentioned the fact that it had just been raised to 2h%. 

 Mr. TURNER thought this was the limit but it was decided to write 

 to the authorities and enquire. 



Mr. Symons said that he had three times summoned for desertion 

 men who had left the estate without giving a month's notice, and 

 that each time the Magistrate had dismissed the case saying that as 

 the men were paid at a daily rate they were day-labourers although 

 they only received the money monthly. Lawyer's advice had been 

 taken and the Magistrate's notes had been called for. It was un- 

 animously decided to instruct a Lawyer to watch the next similar 

 case on behalf of the Association. 



The President asked when the prize essays would be ready for 

 publication and was informed they were still in the hands of the 

 printers but that they might be expected shortly. 



Mr. Turner said that during his absence in Europe Mr. Boyd 

 had acted as President of the Association and he thought the mem- 

 bers present would like to put on record their appreciation of his 

 services. Mr. Boyd responded suitably. 



This concluded the business of the meeting which terminated with 

 a vote of thanks to the Chair. 



