510 



conducted by private individuals, but controlled and supervised by 

 the Straits authorities. They would, however, much prefer an official 

 agency as outlined above. 



The Association ventures to hope that its views of this niatter 

 affecting so closely the interests of its members, a viev»^ arrived at 

 after mature thought and with a due regard for the welfare both of 

 the agricultural industry and the agricultural labourers, will receive 

 His Excellency's sympathetic consideration. 



We have, etc., 



(Sd.) Kennedy & Co., 



Secretaries. 



Mr. C. M. Gumming says that the new labour contract limited 

 the term of contract to one year, or 300 days. Many planters in 

 Perak, he understood, objected to this provision, and advocated a 

 three years' term. Free labourers were preferable, but it was neces- 

 sary to begin with some form of indenture. A one year indenture 

 was now law in the Colony and they could not have another one in 

 the F.M.S. It certainly was desirable that in the future one central 

 labour department be instituted. 



11. LABOUR ENACTMENTS. 



Mr. Skinner proposes that estate doctors should have power to 

 send Tamil and Javanese coolies to hospital. 



Mr. Prior seconds, mentioning that Government prosecutes mana- 

 gers for not sending coolies early enough to hospital. 



This resolution is passed. 



Mr. Dupuis Brown proposes that the Government be approached 

 with a view to include the undermentioned clause in the estate 

 Laborers' (Protection of Health) Enactment, 1910: 



" That Kanganies in charge of or owing coolies shall be made 

 directly responsible under penalty for not reporting cases of sickness 

 in the lines to their Manager, more especially cases of dysenter}^ and 

 advanced fever. " 



Mr. Day points out that this is covered by para. 27 of the Draft 

 Enactment. 



Mr. Dupuis Brown wishes the power to fine not to lie with the 

 manager, but with, the court. 



Resolved that "or any magistrate upon report made to him by 

 such resident manager " be inserted. 



Mr. Day speaks on the provisions of the Chinese Immigrants 

 Draft Enactment. 



Resolved that in section 10 all the words from " and no person 

 except " shall be omitted. 



