69 



on the subject of the creation of the Federal Council or the 

 appointment of an additional planting representative on 

 the Legislative Council, I am directed to inform you that 

 the question of the Legislative Machinery of the Federated 

 Malay States has engaged His Excellency's attention for 

 some time. His Excellency is in communication with the 

 Secretary of States on the subject, but is not yet in a 

 position to make any statement in regard to it. 



2. A copy of your letter is being forwarded to the 

 Secretary of State. 



I have etc., 

 (Sgd.) S. Mc Arthur, 



Ag. Federal Secretary. 



E. W. Harrison, Esq., 



Chairman, 

 The Planters' Association of Malaya, 



Kuala Lumpur. 



Mr. C. L. Gibson considered this reply very satis- 

 factory and that H. E. should be thanked for same. 



This is seconded by Mr. J. Gibson by and carried by 

 acclamation. 



VII. Absconding Coolies. The Secretary reads the 

 following correspondence : 



October, 9th 1908. 

 The Resident-General, F. M. S., Kuala Lumpur. 



Sir, — I have the honour to inform you, that at the last 

 Meeting of this Association held on the 5th instant, the 

 question of the loss of labor through absconding was again 

 thoroughly discussed. 



Excellent as the results of the recently introduced Im- 

 migration Fund no doubt will eventually be, this Associa- 

 tion yet feel that many years must elapse, before the evil of 

 absconding will cease to an appreciable extent, and that in 

 the meantime, surely, Planters, who heavily contribute to- 

 wards the cost of importing fresh laborers are entitled to 

 be assisted by your Government to retain the coolies thus 

 recruited. 



In order to achieve this end, the Members of this As- 

 sociation are unanimous, that a system of registration has 

 become necessary and they suggest, that this be worked on 

 the following lines. 



1. That an officer of the Indian Immigration Depart- 

 ment be attached to every District Officer. 



