August  i,  1892.] 
THE  TROPICAL  AGRICULTURIST. 
99 
Tbe  cost  of  the  game  journey  via  Madras  as  pre- 
viously pointed  out  would  be  at  least  R15  ; so  this 
system  will  be  a great  saving  of  time  and  money  to 
the  cooly,  and  do  away  with  any  necessity  of  travel- 
ling via  Madras,  which  is  really  out  of  the  way. 
Such  a system  properly  carried  out  would  tend 
greatly  to  reduce  the  present  high  coast  advances 
made  to  Oanganies.  And,  I may  here  mention,  that 
Messrs.  Thcs.  Cook  & Son  are  now  quite  prepared  to 
support  Ih  s scheme,  and  convey  any  number  of 
coolies  from  any  Railway  Station  in  Southern  India 
to  any  Railway  Stat  on  in  Ceylon  and  vice  versa. 
I consider  the  present  steamer  rate  of  R3  for  deck 
passage  from  Tuticorin  to  Colombo  too  high,  and  it 
should  be  reduced  to  R2  per  head  or  even  less.  The 
Ceylon  Government  on  behalf  of  the  planting  Com- 
munity might  with  advantage  enter  into  some  agree- 
ment with  the  B.  I.  S.  N.  Co.,  to  reduce  the  fare.  I 
have  only  to  point  out  that  the  distance  from 
Tuticorin  to  Colombo  is  150  miles  by  sea,  and  as  the 
steamer  faro  is  R3  it  comes  to  exactly  2 cents  per 
mile,  or  double  the  cost  of  travelling  per  rail,  which 
exposes  the  absurdity  of  the  high  charge. 
After  due  consideration  I am  now  averse  to  a free 
ferry  between  Tuticorin  and  Colombo,  as  it  would  be 
liable  to  flood  Ceylon  with  an  undesirable  kind  of 
labour,  as  well  as  the  criminal  classes  of  India. 
TuticoriD  has  now  become  the  popular  Port  of  em- 
barkation for  coolies  proceeding  to  Ceylon,  and  no 
less  than  40,849  came  during  1891.  I possess  no  tables 
to  show  how  many  landed  there  from  Ceylon  during 
the  same  period. 
A demand  of  J anna,  or  3 oents  is  exaoted  by  Go- 
vernment from  every  cooly  who  lands  or  embarks  at 
Tuticoriu.  A sore  tax  on  the  poor  emigrant  not  only 
in  a direct  sense,  but  also  as  a means  of  giving 
facilities  to  underlings  for  extorting  black  mail. 
To  illustrate  my  meaning,  I may  relate  an  apropos 
annecdote  told  me  by  tbe  Master  Attendant.  He  said 
he  came  up  unheard  behind  a Peon  who  was  demand- 
ing in  a menacing  manner  from  some  coolies  who  had 
just  landed  from  Ceylon  2 annas  for  each  package  in 
their  possession  as  Port  Dues. 
I am  afraid  a great  deal  of  this  sort  of  thing  goes 
on ; and  it  should  be  stopped  by  tbe  strong  hand  of 
Government. 
As  there  is  not  the  slightest  convenience  at  the 
wood  Jetty  to  protect  the  cooly  from  sun  and  rain, 
it  seems  to  me  an  unnecessary  demand  which  should 
oither  be  removed  or  something  given  in  lieu,  in  the 
shape  of  shelter  for  emigrants  ; where  they  could  wait 
and  rest  before  embarking.  I am  sure  the  matter 
has  oDly  to  be  brought  to  the  notice  of  the  Madras 
Government  to  be  speedily  rectified. 
It  is  absolutely  necessary  for  Oeylon  to  appoint 
an  agent  on  or  near  the  spot  to  watch  over  her 
labour  interests  in  Southern  India  ; and  the  following 
suggestion  appears  to  me  an  easy  and  practical  way 
of  overcoming  the  difficulty  at  a small  outlay. 
That  Mr.  Jardine  should  be  made  Ceylon  Inspector 
of  Labourers  for  the  Madras  Presidency,  with  a ade- 
quate addition  to  his  salary  for  extra  work  to  be  per- 
formed. 
It  would  be  his  duty  to  proceed  once  or 
twice  a year  North  to  Madras  ; and  South  to 
Tuticorin,  keeping  in  touch  with  the  shipping 
agencies  at  the  different  Ports.  Also  to  bring  to 
the  notice  ©f  the  Madras  Government  any  cases  of  ill 
treatment  of  cooiies  that  may  be  brought  before  him 
and  to  prosecute  in  the  courts  such  cases  when 
necesssry  ; and  report  regu’arly  to  his  own  Govern- 
ment on  all  matters  connected  with  the  Labour 
question. 
Mr,  Jardine’s  duties  at  Mannar  must  now  be  very 
light,  and  I am  sure  he  could  easily  spare  the  time 
and  most  efficiently  carry  out  the  additional  work  I 
have  sketohed  for  him  above. 
The  present  Ceylon  wages  are  ample  for  the  coolies 
services  and  compare  favourably  with  what  he  can 
earn  at  home  or  elsewhere;  at  the  same  time,  I think 
more  could  and  should  be  done  for  him  by  the  supply 
of  cheaper  and  better  rations.  Now  that  the  paddy 
tax  has  gone,  the  sister  food  tax  levied  on  rice 
at  tbe  Customs  must  necessarily  follow  suit,  this  would 
considerably  cheapen  rice,  and  it  should  then  be  a rule 
to  sue  it  at  R3  per  bushel.  But  instead  of  f bushel 
g should  be  issued  to  the  cooly.  And  a half  Rupee 
in  hand  in  lieu  of  the  rice.  This  was  suggested  to 
me  by  several  Tamils  who  complained  that  by  the 
present  sysfem  they  got  \ bushel  rice  per  week,  part 
of  which  they  had  to  sell  at  a ruinous  sacrifice  in 
order  to  purchase  curry  stuff.  Half  rioe  and  a half 
money  would  obviate  all  this. 
Another  question  which  was  brought  prominently 
to  my  notice,  and  bitterly  commented  on,  was  that 
of  the  careless  planter,  who  instead  of  getting  out  cash 
from  the  Bank  and  personally  paying  his  coolies, 
entrusts  this  most  inportant  duty  to  a deputy  in 
the  shape  of  the  conductor  or  Head  Oangany, 
and  hands  one  or  the  other  a cheque  for  the 
full  amount  of  wages  due  to  a large  body  of  men.  In 
many  such  cases,  poor  coolies  are  most  unjustly 
treated  and  naturally  leave  the  Island  abusing  the 
country,  and  work  incaulculable  injury  in  the  Indian  vil- 
lage, by  preventing  others  coming  over.  Though  this  is 
not  a common  custom  and  generally  only  praotised 
in  the  rase  of  small  gangs  who  are  paid  off  from 
estates,  yet  the  effect  prod noed  is  a very  bad  one  and 
it  cannot  be  too  strongly  condemed. 
In  each  Ooliectorate  or  District  a Weekly  “ Gazette” 
is  published  in  English  and  Tamil  which  goes  into 
every  village,  and  is  read  by  the  people.  It  was  pro- 
posed that  the  Planters’  Association  should  make 
known  ils  wauls  through  this  channel,  and  more  espe- 
cially in  the  New  Districts  to  be  tapped  for  a fresh 
labour  supply.  This  struck  me  as  an  admirable 
suggestion  which  might  be  aoted  on  advantageously 
provided  a carefully  drawn  up  notice  in  Tamil  and 
English  with  full  particulars  as  to  wages  and  general 
terms  of  service  were  given.  The  cost  of  suoh  adver- 
tisement would  be  insignifioant. 
Having  for  many  years  been  accustomed  to  the 
Tamil  cooly  in  the  midst  of  his  changed  condition 
in  the  cooly  lines  of  some  large  coffee  or  Tea  Estate, 
it  was  a pleasure  to  me  subsequently  to  study  him 
in  his  native  haunts. 
Wbat  impressed  me  most  of  all  during  my  wander- 
ings was  the  happy  and  contented  state  of  the  people 
throughout  the  Madras  Presidency. 
Of  course  in  highly  congested  districts,  where 
coolies  are  too  abundant  and  work  is  scarce,  the  direct 
aDd  inevitable  result  can  only  be  extreme  poverty ; 
but  it  would  not  be  fair  to  quote  examples  from 
such  oases.  Indeed  I often  read  and  heard  of  famine 
and  scarcity ; but  never  witnessed  or  say  any  of  its 
evil  effects,  whilst  the  people  seemed  most  happy  and 
contented  wherever  I went ; and  nothing  could  ex- 
ceed the  industry  energy,  frugality,  and  hard  working 
characteristics  of  the  race. 
Our  old  friend  the  Tamil  seemed  to  be  always  at  work 
morniDg,  noon,  and  night;  and  when  not  reaping 
harvest  or  ploughing;  he  was  hard  at  it  drawing 
water  to  irrigate  his  fields ; but  whether  at  work  or 
play,  he  invariably  seemed  contented  and  happy. 
I was  greatly  taken  with  the  fertility  of  the 
soil  and  fine  cultivation  witnessed  in  many  parts 
of  the  country  I passed  through,  and  more 
especially  in  the  drive  from  Cuddalore  to 
Tanjore,  and  on  to  Negapatam.  The  fields  were 
beautifully  cultivated  and  bearing  crops  heavily  laden 
with  grain,  and  indeed  reminded  me  more  of  Kent 
than  anything  one  oould  have  imagined  in  the  East. 
I was  told  on  good  authority  the  value  of  the  best 
paddy  lands  was  from  Rl,600  to  3,000  per  acre.  These 
lands  always  give  two  and  sometimes  three  crops 
during  the  year. 
The  serious  drawbaok  to  Ceylon  is  the  great  scar- 
city of  foodstuffs;  whilst  liquor  is  too  abundant  and 
ridiculously  cheap.  I am  sure  the  Governmet  could 
with  a little  trouble,  and  guidance  enhance  the  one, 
and  obviate  the  other. 
Thousands  of  acres  in  the  North  of  the  Island  are 
suitable  for  Indian  Corn,  Raghi,  Camban,  and  Other 
dry  grain  cultivation  ; and  with  regard  to  the  latter, 
a lesson  might  with  advantage  be  learnt  from  the 
Madras  Government,  and  both  arrack  and  toddy  so 
