Auo. 1, 1903.J THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
ns 
INDIAN TEA ASSOCIATION : 
AN AMERICAN AND FOREIGN MARKET FUND. 
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH : COOLY CONTRACTS. 
A PLANTERS' DEFENCE ASSOCIATION. 
Calcutta, July 2. 
The following is an ahsract of the proceed- 
ings of a meeting of the General Committee 
of'^the Indian Tea Association held ci the 
23rd June : — 
Correspondence from London was read and 
the principal subjects dealt with were: — 
(1) The American and Foreign Market 
Fund Concession.— There was a «nggpsLion 
to allot a portion of the fund for the 
purpose of exhibiting Indian tea at the 
St Louis Exposition. The London Asso- 
ciation stated that the expenses for ad- 
vertising in America and to work Russia, 
Paris and Rome amounted to £20,000 plus 
other charges leaving a small credit. It 
however, promised to discuss the question 
with several gentlemen connected with Indian 
tea who would shortly be home. The Com- 
mittee is awHiting a communication on the 
Cess regarding the Exposition 
(2) Scientific Officer's Fund — Read 
letter from Government who are prepared 
to give R5,000 for three years on the con- 
dition that the results of the inquiry should 
be published and available to Government 
and all tea planters in India. The total amount 
promised by Government and various Asso- 
ciations is R6,000 short of the annual cost of 
the scheme compounded. 
Mr. Mann thought the economising balance 
would be obtainable from the general fund 
of the Association. Mr. Mann informed the 
Committee that he was prepared to give effect 
to his proposals. 
(3) The Cancelment of Labour Con- 
tracts in Cachar,— Mr. Sandei^son's opinion 
on certain cases was to get the High Court's 
revisional jurisdiction. It was suggested to 
take Counsel's opinion, which is being done. 
(4) River Steamer Agreement.— Com- 
panies are anxious to reopen negociations 
with the Association. A number of useful 
amendments were suggested and the matter 
referred to the London Committee. 
(5) Proposed Planters' Defence Asso- 
ciation.— The Surma Valley Association's 
letter was read and the proceedings recorded. 
Pending the receipt of details of the scheme 
the Committee noted a resolution in favour 
of the establishment of an Association by 
29 against 13. 
(6) The Prevention of Malarial Fever 
—Read letters from the inspector General 
of Civil Hospitals forwarding copies of 
Sanitary Instructions issued by the School 
of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, for observ- 
ance at malarial places. The letter was thank- 
fully acknowledged and recorded. 
^ 
PLANTERS' RIGHTS IN INDIA. 
We attract the attention of our planter 
readers to the lengthy abstract of the last 
meeting of the General Committee of the 
Indian Tea Association which our Calcutta 
correspondent sends us. Indian Planters 
it would appear have not yet decided on 
the extent of their representation at St. 
Louis, while notwithstanding fairly liberal 
support from Government, the fund to enable 
the Association to retain the services of Mr. 
Harold Mann for another period is R6,000 
short of the annual cost. The proposed 
Planters' Defence Association is creating 
much interest in planting circles in India. 
In accordance with a requisition signed by 
ten members of the General Committee, 
Indian Tea Association, calling a meeting 
of all members of the Surma Valley Branch 
to discuss the advisability of forming a 
"Planters' Defence Association," a meeting 
was recently held in Silchar. The Chairman 
intimated that the following resolution was 
passed at a meeting of the Surma Valley 
Branch of the Indian Tea Association and had 
been forwarded to the Parent Association :-- 
" That Uie Surma Valley Braticii of Ihe In. 
dian Tea Association protest agair.st the appoint- 
ment of the very jvmior offici tl now acting as 
Deputy Commissioner to tlie chars'e of such au 
important district as Cachar. The decisions, 
regarding all Itbour cases under Act 1. and 
Act VI. have already created great unrest and 
disoroaiiiz^tion among garden labour in tlie 
district, underrniniiig the authority of aarden 
Managers, and unsetting all garden discipline. 
During his siiort tenure ot office in Silchar very 
serious injury lias been iiiflicted on tea interests 
in the districts." 
Tiie following resolution was proposed but 
after some eloquent and straightforward 
talking was rejected in favour of the 
amendment noted below: — 
Motion. — " That a Planters' Defence As.soeia- 
tion be formed to defend all criminal cases of 
importance brought against members, and 
generally to defend their rights. This Association 
to be affiliated with the Indian Tea Association." 
Amendment. — '■ That an Association befoimed 
in conjunction with the Surma Valley Branch of 
the Indian Tea Association to provide for the salary 
ot a barrister, whose services shall be available for 
all members of the Surii'a Valley Branch, and that 
he be appointed Secretary to the Surma Valley 
Branch. That in adilition to contributions by the 
Surma Valley Branch, and the Indian Tea 
Association, Calcutta, Garden Proprietors and 
ivlanagers be requested to subscribe." 
NATAL TEA CULTIVATION. 
According to the annual report of the Durban 
Chamber of Commerce for the year 1902, it is stated 
with regard to tea cultivation in Natal, that by in- 
creased planting on several of the estates the total 
acreage of tea plantations reaches now about 4,000 
acres, of which about ;i,700 acres will have been 
picked from daring Uie curren season, 1902 03. The 
manufacture will be aboat 1,600,000 lb. weight. 
The shoi tage in rainfall will account for reduced 
output in all districts. The prospective yield for 
next season should, in consequence of a consider- 
able portion of the acreage of the youi-g tea planted 
three years ogo ci ining into fuller yield, amount to 
2,000,000 ib. The demand is steadily increasing, 
and there is room for further development provided 
the necessary labour isobtainable, — Board of Trade 
Journal, June 4. 
