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at Negapatam. Owing- to the Government of India 

 Notification No. 836 of 6 March, 1897, prohibiting re- 

 cruitment of labour for this country in the Bombay 

 Presidency, it is not considered necessary to appoint 

 such an official at present. 

 The Resident-Genera) had received a similar communication from 

 the Hon'ble Colonial Secretary, Straits Settlements, and he is now 

 urging the Straits Government to endeavour to procure the cancel- 

 lation of this Notification so far as it affects the Straits Settlements 

 and Federated Malay States. 



The meeting agreed that the order might with advantage be can- 

 celled as regards the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay 

 States. 



(b) Read letter No. C.S. 3467/02 from Secretary to Resident- 



General to the Chairman covering correspondence be- 

 tween the Honourable Colonial Secretary, Straits Settle- 

 ments, and the Superintendent, Straits Settlements 

 Emigration Depot, Negapatam, with a report from the 

 latter regarding the recruiting of labour from Northern 

 India. 



The cost of recruiting labour would amount to Rs. 61 per head 

 landed at Penang. Resolved that the meeting agree with and sup- 

 port the Chairman's letter to the Resident-General to the effect 

 that recruiting from the North of India has been demonstrated by 

 Dr. FOSTOX to be quite impracticable on the score of expense alone 

 apart from the many other considerations upon which he dwells, 

 but that para. 8 of his report might well receive the attention of the 

 Government in the Colony. 



Para. 8 referred to — 



u In view of the fact that the Government of India has removed 

 all executive interference over emigration to the Straits I really 

 cannot understand why the Straits Government should desire to 

 have the terms re-explained to intending emigrants by an India 

 Official when that has already been done by the Agent for the 

 Straits — viz., the Superintendent of the Depot — unless the Govern- 

 ment is unable to trust the work entirely to the latter officer.'' 



(c) Read letter No. Misc. 4137/02 from Secretary to Resident- 



General to the Chairman covering a letter from the 

 Superintendent, Straits Settlements Emigration Depot, 

 Negapatam, asking to be allowed at his discretion to 

 extend the period of Recruiters' Licenses, also for in- 

 struction as to whether he is to insist on Licenses being 

 produced in cases where Canganies or Recruiters have 

 only a note from their employers applying for State- 

 aided passages for coolies. 

 The Resident-General asks the favour of the Chairman's opinion 

 on the matter and considers himself that Dr. FOSTEN should be 

 empowered to extend the period of Canganies' Licenses, and that 

 all Recruiters should certainly be provided with Licenses. 



Resolved that the meeting endorse the Chairman's letter as below 

 to the Resident-General on the subject : 



