398 



' ' b. That a member of the Government Scientific Staff be seconded 

 for the exclusive study of the life history of Termes Gestroi 

 and the best method of dealing with his pest." 

 This is proposed by Mr. Harrison, seconded by Mr. Gibson and 

 carried unanimously. 



^Repatriation of Unfit Immigrants. 



VI. The Secretary reads the following letter from the Superin- 

 tendent of Immigrants, S. S. and F. M. S. : — 

 SIR, 



I have the honour to inform you that the attention of Government 

 has been drawn to the fact a certain proportion of the Tamil coolies 

 now being brought over from India by kanganies are of poor physique 

 and consequently becoming a burden on the community after arrival. 



2. I am instructed to enquire if the members of the Planters' 

 Association of Malaya are prepared to make arrangments by which 

 employers of Tamil labour should be made responsible for the cost of 

 repatriation of such of their coolies as become incapacitated for work 

 within a definite period after arrival in the country. 



3. It is obviously not to the benefit of planters that coolies who 

 are unable to earn their living should be introduced into the country, 

 but at the same time there is no desire to place restrictions on recruit- 

 ing of labour by kanganies. 



4. I would therefore ask you to bring the question before the 

 members of your Association at an early date, with a view to ascer- 

 taining whether the matter can be dealt with without special legislation. 



I have, etc., 

 (Sgd.) L. H. Clayton, 

 Supdt. of Imm. S. S. d F. M. S. 

 The Superintendent of Immigrants, S. S. & F. M. S., 



Penanrj, June 20th, 1908. 



Sir, 



I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter P. 0. L. 

 767 of the 18th instant which I will lay before my Association at their 

 next meeting on the 19th prox. 



I have, etc., 



(Sgd.) H. C. E. Zacharias, 



Secretary. 



Mr. J. Gibson says there is no doubt there are a number of un- 

 desirables at present in this country, and this Association should now 

 most decidedly assist the Government in repatriating them. Preven- 

 tion, however, being better than cure, he would suggest that all coolies 

 be medically examined at Negapatam before being allowed to proceed to 

 this country. 



Mr. Parkinson is afraid that this medical inspection will very 

 seriously interfere with kangany-recruiting. As a matter of fact, only 

 very few unfit free labourers were coming over ; but when they did, 

 the expense of repatriation should be borne by the 'recruiting kangany. 



