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labour force employed. This resulted in very great opposition 

 from estates situated in healthy situations where the percentage of 

 sickness rarely exceeds 2 % of the labour force, and probably as a 

 result of representations that were made in December, 1907, the Prin- 

 cipal Medical Officer was asked by the High Commissioner to make an 

 extended tour through the districts that were chiefly interested. This 

 was done, and though no copy of the report has been received hitherto, 

 your Association has reason to believe that their representations were 

 "favourably considered. 



Immigration Fund. — The Bill as formulated by the Immigration 

 Committee was fully discussed by your Association after it had been 

 read a second time in the Legislative Council, and while recognising 

 the general utility and wide scope of the scheme, it was generally felt 

 that old-established estates were unfairly treated as compared with 

 their younger rivals, and an amendment was passed asking Govern- 

 ment to consider the Bill as framed to be subject to revision after it 

 had been in operation one year. 



It is to be regretted that your Association is not afforded more 

 opportunity for the discussion of important matters affecting the 

 planting community before they become law. 



Sunday Names. — At a meeting held on January 19th, 1908, it was 

 unanimously resolved that all Sunday names should be stopped from 

 July 1st, 1908. This is one direct result of the Immigration Bill, and 

 it is to be hoped that the fixing of a maximum rate of wages, which 

 has already been discussed, will shortly become an accomplished fact. 



Opponents to the Labour Cess hardly realise how far-reaching the 

 present scheme is. 



Quit-rent. — The absurdly high rates charged by the F. M. S. 

 Government for the alienation of land were once more made the 

 subject of strong representations. As a result, these charges have 

 been since reduced by one-half in the case of land intended for the 

 cultivation of products other than rubber. However much this may 

 be welcomed as a step in the right direction, this Association ought in 

 no way to relax its endeavours to get these rates further reduced to a 

 figure which would induce capitalists to invest largely in coconuts and 

 similar agricultural produce, the margin of profits on which is very 

 small. 



Loans.— The limit of $1,000,000 laid down by H. E. the High 

 Commissioner in instituting this liberal and enlightened policy was 

 reached early in the year ; but I am glad to be able to report that our 

 prayer for an extension has since been granted to the extent of another 

 half million. 



General. — This Association has to deplore a serious loss through 

 the death of Mr. A. W. Hodson. 



The Association at the end of the year was constituted as 

 follows : — 



1. Malay Peninsula Agricultural Association, with 84 Members 

 and the following 8 Representatives : — Hon. John Turner {Chairman) , 

 Alex Crawford, Esq., T. N. Symons, Esq., R. G. Palmer, Esq., Geo. 

 Stothard, Esq., D. Douglas, Esq., D. Ritchie, Esq., and Messrs. Ken- 

 nedy & Co. (Secretaries), 



