223 



letter means the Rubber Dealers' Enactment and not the Praedial Produce 

 Enactment. As far as I can ascertain the Chinese Kedai Keeper was 

 charged under the Rubber Dealers' Enactment for buying without a 

 licence, for which the penalty is a fine up to one thousand dollars. If the 

 evidence had been sufficient he could have been charged either under the 

 Penal Code for receiving stolen porperty knowing it to have been stolen or 

 under the Stolen Property and Habitual Criminals Enactment, in either 

 of which case, he could have been imprisoned. I should not advise in this 

 case that any further proceedings should be taken as it is a conside) able 

 time since the original case was tried, and I dout)t whether any useful 

 result would be obtained ' 



I have, etc., 

 (Sgd.) H. C. E. Zaci| ARIAS, 

 Secretary. 



, The Secretary, 



The Planters' Association of Malaya, Klang, 



Kuala Lumpur. April 8th, 1910. 



Sir, — Some time ago Estate managers were asked to report any 

 rubber thefts which came before their notiqe. 



On the 7th instant two Vallambrosa coolies were caught and 

 convicted of stealing 2V2 lbs. of scrap rubber, they were sentenc-ed to 

 three months' imprisonment or pay a fine of $50. The fine was paid 

 at once presumably by the Chinaman who buys it. This sort of thing 

 should not be allowed. 



1 have, etc., 

 (Sgd.) H. W. Bailey. 



Mr. Parkinson thinks that if the receiver is let off with a small 

 fine on a clear case, it was a direct inducement to steal rubber. 



Mr. H. W. Bailey suggests that Government should be asked to 

 amend the Enactment so as to abolish the option of a fine. 



Mr. Day points out that this would be awkward as a dealer late 

 in taking out his licence might thus have to go to prison. 



Mr. Gumming thinks it was not advisable continually to harass 

 Government on small matters, and said that people should get proper 

 legal advice and bring their cases home. 



The matter is left to rest there. 



7. PRAEDIAL PRODUCE ENACTMENT. 



Mr. Day remarks that it has come to his knowledge that some 

 proceedings have been taken under the Praedial Produce Protection 

 Enactment, which have not resulted in a conviction owing to the fact 

 that rubber is not specifically mentioned. He would suggest that the 

 Government be asked to amend the definition of the word ' produce ' 

 in that Enactment by adding after the word " roots " the words " and 

 any other produce of any plant or trees". 



