552 



10,000 natives went through the barriers on Monday the 31st. In 

 conclusion I must acknowledge the courtesy of the officials, especially 

 of Or, De Bussy, the Honorary Secretary of the Agricultural Division. 



W. Fox. 



ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NEGRI SEMBILAN 

 PLANTERS' ASSOCIATION, 1907-1908. 



Gentlemen, 



We your Committee place before you our 10th Annual Eeport. 



1. Meetings. — There have been six General Meetings during the 

 year and several Committee Meetings. The former have been better 

 attended, but your Committee must again impress on you that the 

 Planting Community in these States has become a very large power 

 and that as co-operation is the secret of success it is desirable that 

 all who can possibly do so should attend the Meetings. 



2. New Members. Several new Members have joined the Asso- 

 ciation but only two new Estates have been registered. We have to 

 record that Mr. T. H. Hill, the pioneer planter of the F. M. S., retired 

 during the year under review. 



3. Coffee and Coconuts. — Owing to high rents these products 

 have not received any attention, but we understand that the quit rent 

 on land for the cultivation of Coconuts has been materially reduced. 



4. Para Rubber. — As will be seen by the cultivation returns 

 which are embodied in this report, considerable extensions haye been 

 made. Your Committee regret to have to record a serious drop in the 

 prices of all grades of rubber owing to various causes, but, as plantation 

 rubber has proved satisfactory to the manufacturer, your Committee 

 is of opinion that if prices do not fall to any great extent there is yet 

 a great future before the industry. The best method of preparation 

 has not been absolutely determined on ; but Crepe appears to have 

 found favour during the year. 



5. Roads. — We are glad to have to record considerable improve- 

 ment under this heading with regard to existing roads. New roads 

 are under construction, and we hope that the Government will pursue 

 a forward policy in respect to the maintenence of old roads, and the 

 construction of new ones. 



6. Medical and Hospitals. — As anticipated in the last annual 

 report? this Association engaged the services of a Medical Officer on 

 the 1st of August last; the scheme, as regards the Association, has not 

 worked out satisfactorily, and consequently it has been abandoned. 

 The question of health has not been lost sight of and independent 

 arrangements have been made with local practitioners. 



Several joint hospitals in convenient positions have been erected, 

 and some on individual Estates with good results. During the year 

 under review the health in this State has been exceedingly bad. 



European Hospital at Seremban. — Your Committee cannot too 

 strongly express their disapproval of the action taken by the Gov- 

 ernment in closing down the European Hospital which affects the 



