397 



Mr. Zacharias suggests the use of the words " Tamil labourers " 

 instead of " Tamils." 



These two amendments, having been accepted, are incorporated 

 in the original motion, which now stands as follows : — 



" That Government be requested to prohibit the sale to Tamil labour- 

 ers by spirit licensees of liquors other than unadulterated toddy and 

 beer; and that no alcoholic liquor of any description be sold to Tamil 

 labourers on credit. " 



This proposal is then put to the meeting and carried unanimously. 



White Ants. 



V. The Secretary reads out the following : — 



" Extracts of Minutes of the M. P. A. Association's General Meet- 

 ing held on 12th May, 1908 ;— 



The Chairman proposes that the following motion be forwarded to 

 the Secretary, Planters' Association of Malaya, asking that same may 

 be discussed at their next general meeting : 



1 That the Planters' Association of Malaya approach Government 

 requesting that a reward be offered to such person as shall satisfy the 

 Government of an approved method of exterminating white ants.' 



The Chairman suggests that the different Planting Companies 

 should give voluntary contributions, and that Government be asked to 

 subscribe the balance of whatever amount it was decided to offer. 



Discussion ensues, the Chairman suggesting that for a really reli- 

 able remedy the sum of £5,000 would not be too much." 



In the absence of the Hon. J. Turner, Mr. Boyd formally propos- 

 es this motion. 



Mr. Darby, in seconding the motion, thinks it would be advisable 

 to find out first whether the Government would join in such a 

 scheme. 



Mr. C. L. Gibson remarks that the remedy must not only be 

 effectual but also cheap. 



The Secretary reads out two offers already received : one from 

 .Mr. West of Peradeniya, and one from Mr. Cox of Alor Pongsu. 



Mr. Harrison thinks that this reward is only one way, but that 

 there is also another one of getting at this problem, viz., by asking 

 Government to second one of their Scientific Officers for one year to 

 do nothing else but study the life history of Termes Gestroi. 



Mr. Parkinson would like to specify Mr. Pratt on account of his 

 valuable services in the past, and he was also not in favour of limiting 

 the time at the disposal of such officer to one year only. 



After some general discussion, the following resolution is then 

 agreed to : — . . 



" That, seeing the vital importance to the Agricultural Industry 

 of the Malay Peninsula of discovering effective means of eradicating 

 the white ant pest, this Association submits to Government : — 



" a. That a reward be offered jointly by the Governments of the 

 S. S. and F. M. S. and by the Planting Community to such 

 person as shall satisfy the Government of a cheap and 

 effective method of exterminating white ants. 



