219 



Estimates for 1908-09. 



Expenditure. 



To London Exhibition . 

 ., Agricultural Bulletin • 



,, Secretary 



,, General Charges ... 

 Surplus • 



500 

 1,000 

 2,400 



300 

 1,200 



$5,400 



Revenue. 



By Balance from last year ••• 700 

 "47 Representatives at $100. 4,700 



$5,400 



XIII. The following correspondence re Loans to Planters is read. 



The Resident-General, F. M. S., 29th February 1908. 



Kuala Lumpor. 



Sir, 



Loans to Planters. 



I understand that the limit, outlined by H. E. the Governor in 

 instituting this liberal policy, has now been reached and that, pending 

 further instructions, no more loans are to be issued at present. 



I feel certain that H. E.'s irtention in mentioning the sum in 

 question — which I believe was originally fixed at $500,000 — was not 

 to lay down a hard and fast limit, but rather meant tentatively. This 

 interpretation is further borne out by the fact that H. E. subsequently 

 doubled the original limit, and planters in general have no doubt so 

 understood his circular. 



Many places then having been opened up, the owners believing 

 that they had a Government loan ready to fall back upon, when needed, 

 would now find themselves in sore straits, if this enlightened and gen- 

 erous policy was suddenly discontinued. 



It is needless for me to point out, how hard such a stoppage of 

 Government Loans would hit the Planters just at present, when there 

 is a depression in all financial circles, consequent on the recent crisis 

 in the United States of America. 



Trusting that the planters will have your valued support in repre- 

 senting this matter to his Excellency, 



I have, etc., 



(Sgd.) R. W. Harrison, 



Chairman. 



No. 1908/08. 7th March, 1908. 



Sir, 



I am directed by the Resident-General to acknowledge the receipt 

 of your letter of the 29th ultimo, regarding the stoppage of Government 

 loans to planters, the limit of which has already been reached. The 

 High Commissioner has approved of the limit being extended to one 

 and a half million dollars. 



