at Negapatam. Owing to the Government °i India 
* Notification No. 836 of 6 March, 1897, prohibiting re- 
cruitment of labour for this country in the Bombay 
Presidency, it is not considered necessary to appoint" 
such an official at present. 
The Resident-General had received a similar communication from 
the Hon’ble Colonial Secretary, Straits Settlements, and he is now 
urging the Straits Government to endeavour to procure the cancel- 
lation of this Notification so far ns it affects the Straits Settlements 
and Federated Malay States. 
The meeting agreed that the order might with advantage be can- 
celled as regards the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay 
States. \ 
(£) Read letter No. C.S. 3467/02 from Secretary to Resident- 
General to the Chairman covering correspondence be- 
tween the Honourable Colonial Secretary, Straits Settle- 
ments, and the; Superintendent, Straits Settlements 
Emigration Depot, Negapatam, with a report from the 
latter regarding the recruiting of labour from Northern 
India. 
The cost of recruiting labour would amount to Rs. 61 per head 
landed at Penang. Resolved that the meeting agree with and sup- 
port the Chairman’s letter to the Resident-General to the effect 
that recruiting from the North of India has been demonstrated by 
Dr. FoSTON to be quite impracticable on the score of expense alone 
apart from the many other considerations upon which, he dwells, 
but that para. 8 of bis report might well receive the attention of the 
Government in the Colony, 
Para. 8 referred to — 
(l In view r of the fact that the Government of India has removed 
all executive interference over emigration to the Straits I really 
cannot understand why the Straits Government should desire to 
have the terms re-explained to intending emigrants by aii India 
Official when that has already been done by the Agent for the 
Straits — viz., the Superintendent of the Dep6t — unless the Govern- 
ment is unable to trust the work entirely to the latter officer/' 
(c). Read letter No. Misc. 4137/02 from Secretary to Resident- 
General to the Chairman covering a letter from the 
Superintendent, Straits Settlements Emigration Depot, 
Negapatam, asking to be allowed at his discretion to 
extend the period of Recruiters’ Licenses, also for in- 
struction as to whether he is to insist on Licenses being 
produced in cases where Canganies or Recruiters have 
only a note from theiir employers applying for State- 
aided passages for coolies. 
The Resident-General asks the favour of the Chairman’s opinion 
on the matter and considers himself that Dr. FOSTEN should be 
empowered to extend the period of Canganies' Licenses, and that 
all Recruiters should certainly be provided with Licenses.' 
Resolved that the meeting endorse the Chairman’s letter as below 
to the Resident-General on the subject ; 
