94 
THE  TROPICAL  AGRICULTURIST. 
[Aug.  I,  1895. 
the  cooly  men  and  inomea  and  boys : some  get  better 
rice  than  otliers,  some  have  lowj  rice  transjmrt  which 
coolies  detest,  and  abominate;  where  can  you  draw 
THE  LINE,  I wonder  ? 
IMrnoVE  THE  CONDITION  OF  THE  ESTATE 
for  the  Tiunil  cooly,  make  it  more  comfortable 
and  he  will  be  quick  to  find  out  the  benefits 
you  have  secured  for  him  and  flock  to  the  To- 
tiui,  if  it  is  not  most  unhealthy  for  him  to  live  on. 
The  present  ancient  kangaui  system  is  welded  into 
all  the  Tamil  Labor  Ordinances  of  Ceylon  and  is 
an  Institution  too  strong  and  vigorous,  to  be  roughly 
handled. — though  perhaps  it  might  be  modified  in  various 
w lys.  Finally,  this  1 will  say : that  coolies  are  keen 
observers,  and  will  spread  reports  quickly — too  quickly 
sometimes— on  the  Coast,  respecting  the  advantages  of 
various  tea-districts  and  various  estates  ; and  whether 
they  are  protected  by  the  Dorai  or  not  from  the  grip 
of  the  kangani. 
And  now'  to  change  the  subject  as  it  were  ; I read 
your  recent  remarks  in  Ohsrrcer  and  can  say  there 
can  be  little  doubt  that 
LOW’  LYINCi  SEA  LANDS  IN  THE  TKOl'ICS 
are  often  reyi/  uiihealthii.  I know  this  from  bitter 
e '■iierieiice.  Take  the  mangrove  swamps  of  the  West 
India  Isles,  real  hot-beds  for  fever  and  ague  ; even  a 
fringe  of  mangrove  swamps  washed  by  the  tropical 
Bia-tides  will  produce  fevers  of  various  kinds.  The 
fact  is  the  fermentation  that  at  timen  takes  place 
under  the  shade  of  the  mangroves  and  the  fetid 
Binell  beneath  the  trees  is  the  trur  cause  of  the 
miasma  that  rises  for  these  swamps  during  certain 
months  when  the  winds  blow  inland,  and  even  if  a 
Planter  resides  at  an  elevation  and  above  these 
lowlying  sea  water  swamps,  at  certain  times 
of  the  year,  he  is  liable  to  malarial  fevers  and 
kindred  complaints ; and  coolies  also.  There  is  a spot 
only  some  J miles  from  Eastern  Haputale  where  mala- 
rial fever  abounds,  most  of  the  year — a veritable  grave- 
yard for  the  Sinhalese  and  Tamil  cooly  labourer.  What 
is  the  cause  of  it.  Fever  laden  winds  from  Weliao-uif 
and  the  lowlying  country — all  around  that  riHai/e 
or  town  in  fact — all  the  country  covered  as  it  is  with 
sirut  to  Hambantote  is  feverish  and  most  unhealthy. 
CEVLUN  TEA  IN  AMEUICA. 
THE  AMERICAN  TEA  COMMITTEE  OK 
THE  INDIAN  TEA  ASSOCIATION 
met  some  members  of  the  Tea  Committee  of  the 
Ceylon  Association  in  Imndon  on  the  2nd  lUay,  to 
discuss  a proi)Osal  that  the  pushiig  of  Indian  and 
Ceylon  teas  in  America  should,  to  a certain  ex- 
tent be  done  conjointly  and  not  in  opposition,  Mr. 
Mackenzie,  the  delegate  sent  by  the  Ceylon 
Planters’  Association  to  America,  having  reported 
that  he  thought  it  would  be  possible  to  work  to- 
gether for  the  benefit  of  both  countries  and  that 
working  in  opposition  was,  in  his  opinion,  dis- 
tinctly opposed  to  the  benefit  of  both. 
It  was  pointed  out  that  the  subscriptions  from 
India  would  only  amount  to  about  whereas 
the  funds  to  bo  devoted  by  Ceylon  to  the  same 
object  amount  to  about  t'T.iXK). 
After  a general  conversation  as  to  the  feasibility 
of  the  plan,  and  all  those  present  having  signified 
t'leir  approval  of  the  idea,  jirovided  the  de- 
liils  could  be  satisfact  01  ily  arranged,  it  was 
left  to  JMe=ars.  W.  IMiiei-enzic  and  A.  liryans 
to  draft  n pioposal  fo  lie  8nt)miUed  to  the 
f ill  Comiiiittee.s  of  both  Associations  in  London  on 
Monday,  the  (ith  inst.,  it  being  understood  that,  if 
such  scheme  connnende-d  itself  to  the  London  Com- 
mittees of  the  two  Associations,  it  should  be  transmitted 
for  aj)proval  to  the  Calcutta  and  Ceylon  Associations 
with  a strong  recommendation  from  London  for  its 
adoption.  The  chief  points  are  as  follows  : — 
(1)  That  both  Associations  should  contribute  f2,.^)00 
each  towards  a joint  fund  to  be  used  for  advertising 
the  teas  of  both  countries  in  America. 
(2)  That,  with  a view  to  saving  expense,  these 
funds  should  be  administered  by  one  Commissioner, 
to  whose  maintenance  in  America  the  Indian  Associa- 
tion should  also  coutribute  foOO  u»d  the  Ceylon 
(;l)  That  the  nomination  of  such  Commissioner 
should  be  left  in  the  hands  of  the  Ceylon  Association, 
but  that  the  appointment  should  be  subject  to  the 
approval  of  the  Indian  Tea  Association. 
(4)  That  a small  Committee  of  business  men  in 
New  York  (not  necessarily  connected  with  Tea) 
should  be  appointed,  if  possible,  to  advise  the  Com- 
missioner as  to  the  best  way  of  administering  the 
funds  at  his  disposal  and  carrying  out  the  proposal 
for  advertising  British  grown  Teas. 
N.14. — The  object  of  this  Committee  being  to  gain 
for  the  Commissioner  the  experience  of  business 
men  in  America,  and  to  save  time  by  avoiding  the 
reference  of  matters  of  detail  to  London  and  Ceylon, 
it  was  thought  that  the  Commissioner's  hands  should 
be  as  free  as  possible  to  carry  out  the  work  subject 
to  the  advice  of  this  New  York  Committee  provided: 
(<f|  That  he  worked  for  the  interests  of  both 
countries  and 
{!>}  That  the  money  was  spent  on  the  advertise- 
ment of  the  Teas  of  both  countries. 
(r>j  The  term  “advertisement”  is  understood  in  its 
broadest  sense  and  the  Commissioner  will  be  em- 
powered to  advertise  the  Teas  on  the  lines  already 
adopted,  viz ; 
(«)  By  attending  stores,  food  shows  and  other 
places,  with  native  servants  and  sales  ladies,  if  he 
considers  it  advisable. 
(b)  By  the  distribution  of  samples  of  Teas  of  both 
countries. 
(e)  By  advertising  in  the  Press,  more  especially, 
perhaps,  in  such  towns  as  he  may  be  holding  exhibits 
of  the  natives  aforesaid. 
{d)  And  this  is  strongly  recommended  by  the 
London  Committees,  by  subsidising  such  persons  or 
firms  as  are  already  pushing,  or  will  undertake  to 
push  the  sale  of  the  Teas  of  both  countries,  pro- 
vided such  firms  are  willing  to  contribute  a like 
amount,  or  an  amount  to  be  agreed  upon,  to  such 
subsidies,  and  to  render,  from  time  to  time,  an  account 
of  the  expenditure  so  made,  it  being  considered 
desirable  to  leave  the  exact  method  of  how  this 
money  should  be  spent  to  the  firms  receiving  same, 
always  provided  it  was  spent  on  advertising,  in  some 
form  or  another,  the  teas  of  Ceylon  and  India,  the 
subsidies  to  be  repeated  from  time  to  time,  provided 
the  Commissioner  is  satisfied  that  they  are  being 
properly  administered  by  those  to  whom  they  are 
granted. 
(e)  By  such  other  methods  of  advertisement  as  may 
commend  themselves  to  the  Commissioner  and  bo 
approved  of  by  the  Committee  in  New  York. 
_ (())  The  Commissioner  to  have  strict  instruc- 
tions to  show  no  bias  in  favour  of  the 
teas  of  one  country  over  those  of  the  other, 
and  all  advertisements,  of  whatever  nature,  to  be 
equally  fair  to  both,  this  being  the  only  basis  on 
which  it  is_  felt  that  such  a joint  scheme  can  be 
worked  to  give  satisfaction  to  those  interested  in  both 
countries. 
(7.)  That  a, Joint  Committee  be  appointed  in  Lon- 
don consisting  of  three  .members  of  the  Indian  Tea 
Association  and  three  members  of  the  Ceylon  Asso- 
ciation in  London  and  the  Secretaries  of  each  Associa- 
tion, who  will  have  the  appointment  of  the  New  York 
Committee  and  the  administration  of  the  funds  re- 
mitted from  Ceylon  and  India,  and  will  consult  to- 
gether with  reference  to  .the  reports  of  the  Commis- 
sioner, and  to  whom  he  will  be  lesponsilrle,  ns  far 
as  the  joint  funds  are  concerned,  and  will  advise 
their  own  Associations  of  the  progress  of  events. 
(S.j  That  this  joint  agreement  shall  remain  in 
force  for  one  year  or  until  such  time  as  the  aforesaid 
funds  have  been  disposed  of  in  America. 
CEYLON  A.SSOCLVTION  IN  LONDON. 
Report  of  the  Executive  Coinmittee.  For  the  vear 
181)1-1895.  To  be  laid  before  the  Seventh  Annual 
General  Meeting  on  10th  Juno,  1895. 
The  number  of  names  on  the  roll  of  the  Associa- 
tion  is  135,  the  same  as  in  the  previous  year. 
The  year  has  been  uneventfnl  and  the  duties  of 
the  Committee  have  been  light. 
The  pnly  business  before  the  Ogmmittoo  has  beett 
iu  to  the  Military  . Coatribatida  of  -thi 
