242 



this work. The result will be that in the hope of carrying out their 

 undertakings, higher wages will be offered to attract the labourers 

 already in the country. That sufficient labour can be imported there 

 is no doubt, but it means trouble and expense in bringing coolies 

 to this country and acclimatising them. In order to avoid what 

 would certainly prove a disastrous competition and avert ruin from 

 many of the undertakings which would otherwise go under I would 

 suggest that an acreage tax over the Straits and Federated Malay 

 States be levied, the money from which to be expended solely on 

 the importation of suitable labour. For this purpose it would be 

 necessary for Government to form a Labour Bureau to import 

 coolies and distribute them to the different employers in proportion 

 to the amount of tax paid by them. Before approaching Govern- 

 ment it would be well to get the views of the United Planters 

 Association in order that, if possible, joint action might be taken. 



Mr. BOYD proposed that the Secretary be asked to write and find 

 out the views of the United Planters Association on the matter. 



This was agreed to. 



This concluded the business of the general meeting. 



The essay committee afterwards met and decided to divide the 

 prize between u Wars" {nom-de-plume) and Mr. A. M. SAWYER, 

 giving a gold medal to each. 



The Labour Bureau also met later. 



It was agreed on the motion of the Chairman (Hon. J. Turner) 

 to approach the Netherlands-India Government with a view to 

 having the rates of pay for future importations of coolies reduced. 



The Chairman said that the favourable views expressed just a year 

 ago about Javanese coolies held good to-day. They were in some 

 ways more satisfactory than Klings. Sickness among them was 

 rarer and, consequently, the death-rate was lower. Though the 

 initial cost of importation was greater, the ultimate expense worked 

 out cheaper than for Tamil labour. 



Mr. BOYD concurred, as did Mr. STOTHARD who said that the 

 Javanese, unlike the Klings, never scamped their work. They had 

 Javanese women in the factories on Malakoff, and he did not know 

 what they would have done without them. 



The Secretary (Mr. Sargant) reported that the number of Java- 

 nese imported in 1904 was 1,099; in *905, 410; and for the present 

 year, so far, 200. 



The accounts of the Labour Bureau for last year showed a credit 

 balance of $105.71. 



The accounts were passed. 



Mr. M. H. Graham was also appointed to act as Secretary of 

 the Labour Bureau during Mr. Sargant'S absence. 



This concluded the] business and a vote of thanks was accorded 

 the Chairman. 



