59 
rates per acre by the help of chetties that the people were unable 
to pay interest and this broke up their homes. 
I have, etc., 
T. H. HILL, 
Protector of Labour, F.M.S 
PS . — Since writing foregoing, by your instructions I went ove - 
the gardens under Mr. STANLEY Arden’s charge. I formed a high 
opinion of his developed capacity and look upon him as a valuable 
servant to the Government and am prepared to back this expression 
of opinion by a report should you desire it. 
T. H. H. 
The Resident-General, F.M.S. 
British Residency, 
No. 6344/1903. Selangor, iSth December , /poj. 
Encouragement of Agriculture among Natives. 
Sir, — 
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No 
7259, of the 7th November, 1903, covering a letter by the Superb 
intendent of the Government Experimental Plantations on the sub, 
ject of the encouragement of agriculture among native cultivators 
2 . This subject is one which the Governments of these States 
have always shown every desire to foster and more than one pro- 
posal. having for its object the development of native cultivation, 
has received consideration and material assistance, sometimes in 
the form of remissions of rent and sometimes by the grant of loans 
without interest. 
3. The proposals now put forward by Mr. Arden are, as far as 
l am aware, new, free from many of the objections attendant on 
the forms of assistance referred to above, and likely to achieve the 
desired object. The extension of coconut cultivation in the Kuala 
Selangor district consequent on the establishment of oil mills in 
that locality, at anv rate, proves that the natives are prepared to 
avail themselves of the benefits of a ready market, and there is no 
reason to suppose that other forms of manufacture would not equal- 
ly encourage the cultivation of other kinds of agricultural produce. 
4. The form in which effect can best be given to Mr. Arden’s 
proposals is a more difficult question and one in which I do not 
think it possible to lay down any hard and fast rules. 
For the present it seems to me it will suffice if the Government 
accept his proposal-; and notify the public by advertisement on the 
lines of the recent notification issued from your office to encourage 
the introduction of new forms of agriculture, that the Government 
are prepared (1) to consider proposals for the establishment of any 
industry which will utilise agricultural products suitable for native 
cultivation, and (2) in the event of their meeting with the approval 
of Government, to assist in their establishment and maintenance 
