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H. C. E. Zacharias; For the Batu Tiga District Planters' Association : 

 Mr. G. Henly, Mr. H. F. Browell, Mr. H. L. Jarvis; For Jbhe Klang 

 District Planters' Association ; Mr. R. W. Harrison ; Forjhe Negri 

 Sembilan Planters' Association: Mr. J. le P. Power; Mr. R. W. Harri- 

 son (in the Chair); Mr. H. C. E. Zacharias, Secretary. 



1. The Secretary having read the telegraphic notice convening the 

 Meeting, the Hon. John Turner moved the following Resolution, of which 

 he had given notice at the previous Meeting of the Association, viz. : — 



" That this Association views with the greatest apprehension 

 the action of the Shipping Ring on the industries of the 

 Colony and Federated Malay States in the excessive 

 freights now charged on produce to Europe, and requests 

 that His Excellency the Governor and High Commissioner 

 will take such steps as he may deem advisable to have the 

 shipping of the Colony put on a fair and equitable basis." 



In introducing this motion, he said that many of our agricultural 

 industries showed only so small a margin of profit that they could not 

 stand high freights. Rubber was at present able to stand it, and its 

 export amounted to only little ; but even in that case, why should they 

 be bled to swell the profits of the Shipping Ring ? 



It was said that the Conference provided greater facilities and more 

 regular services. Nothing that the Shipping Ring did was of great 

 benefit to them as agricultural producers. They were the people who 

 had to pay for high rate of freight and for everything in connection 

 with it. 



The Straits Government was going to great expense in increasing 

 the facilities for shipping at Singapore ; but all that would be of no 

 avail as long as the present high freight rates remained in force. 



Mr. Ritchie then seconded the resolution. 



2. Mr. Harrison thought that the resolution did not get at the 

 root of the present difficulty. The present Shipping Conference was a 

 strong combine of lines, English and foreign, and rates had certainly 

 risen. But there were two points of view — that of the F. M. S. and 

 that of the Colony. If they went bald-headed for the Conference they 

 would be playing into the hands of the Colony. Hanging on to the 

 question was that of an F. M. S. Port. Direct shipments were increas- 

 ing, but at present practically all their produce went through Penang 

 or Singapore. The real point was, that on the total freight collected in 

 the Straits, seven firms got a secret rebate of 5%. The total sum thus 

 paid was estimated as between £30,000 and £100,000. That large and 

 secret commission came practically directly out of the pocket of the 

 producer. If that money had not to be spent, freights would be more 

 likely to adjust themselves. The rebates were originally given because 

 these firms used to provide their own steamers. The main thing for 

 them to do was to agitate for legislation against that secret commission. 

 Secret commissions were already illegal in England ; they should be 

 made so in this country too. The Shipping Companies were not paying 

 large dividends in spite of the increased freights. 



Mr. Skinner, concurring with Mr. Harrison, said that Mr. Turner's 

 motion simply asked Government to take any action they liked and 



