371 



from those of an ordinary agent to a commercial under- 

 taking that I am unable to agree with the statements con- 

 tained in paragraph 4 of the Company's letter. 



I have, etc., 

 (Sgd.) L. H. Clayton, 

 Supdt. of Immigrants, S.S. & F.M.S. 



Chair in an, Immigration Committee. 



Penang, 3rd March, 1909. 



Gentlemen, — I have the honour to inform you that the 

 possibility of reducing the initial cost to employers in the 

 Federated Malay States of recruiting labourers by means 

 of kanganies in India has recently engaged the attention 

 of the Immigration Committee. 



2. The scale of charges for the services you render to 

 planters has been made the subject of some comment and as 

 the question is to come up for discussion at a Meeting of the 

 Committee to be held shortly I should be glad to receive an 

 expression of your views as to the possibility of a reduction 

 in existing rates. 



8. I am informed that the existing charges are as 

 follows : 



Five per cent on all disbursements, a fixed fee of 8 

 annas per cooly and a shipping charge of 4 annas per head. 

 It is understood that as a rule a bill is drawn on the em- 

 ployer for the amount due within a very few days of the 

 expenditure and that the bank charges for remittance are 

 paid by the planters. 



4. The services rendered to the planters in return for 

 these charges do not so far as I am aware differ in any 

 considerable degree from those of an agent to a commercial 

 undertaking for which a very usual inclusive charge is 2 

 per cent on the monthly disbursements. 



5. While there is so far as I am aware no disposition 

 to criticise the manner in which your services to the planters 

 are carried out, there does appear to be a feeling that the 

 work could and should be done at something approximate 

 to ordinary agency charges. 



6. I would ask you to give this question your serious 

 attention and I should be glad to hear from you at an early 

 date whether you see your way to making a reduction in 

 the rates now charged. 



I have, etc., 

 (Sgd.) L. H. Clayton. 



