207 
by Post Office orders alone. It is impossible to estimate the amount 
remitted through chetties or hoarded by coolies, and taken back to 
the coast in the form of jewellery and cash. 
It is to be trusted that Government will realise the vital import- 
ance to the whole country of a steady flow of labour, and, by a 
generous policy now towards the agricultural interest, insure for the 
country that future prosperity that can only be obtained by steady 
and regular supplies of cheap labour. 
Free Tickets. 
The year under review was the last of the three, during which the 
Government of the F. M. S. originally promised this Association an 
annual issue of 4,600 -free tickets. 
These tickets have greatly attracted the flow of labor into these 
States, and it is only to be hoped, that the Government will not 
only continue this enlightened policy^ for the future, but even 
enlarge its scope. 
Labour Ordinance. 
The working of this Enactment has been most unsatisfactory, and 
in most Courts, in Selangor especially, it has been practically 
impossible to obtain a conviction against a cooly for absconding, and 
there have been numerous cases of desertion from estates. 
The returns sent in answer to numerous circulars sent out by the 
Association are very incomplete, many estates having sent no replies 
at all, and it is much to be regretted that more interest is not taken 
in this matter. 
In August, a Deputation from this 'Association and the Malay 
Peninsula Agricultural Association waited on His Excellency the 
Governor to discuss the working of the Dabout; Enactment, and your 
Committee are glad to report, that an Enactment has been passed, 
which calls upon every employer of labour to register full particulars 
of any labourer engaged by him with the Superintendent of Immi- 
grants within 7 days of the date of his engagement, under heavy 
penalties to the employer who fails. to do so and to the labourer who 
furnishes any false information as to the particulars regarding his 
previous employment. 
Your Committee feel that if this Enactment is rigorously enforced, 
a great improvement must take place very shortly, for if there were 
no employers of bolters there would be few, if any, desertions. 
An Immigration Committee has recently been appointed by 
Government, to consider the whole labour question as it affects the 
Federated Malay States and the Straits Settlements and to advise 
Government as to the best means to be taken to increase the 
permanent labour force of the country. 
The thanks of the Association should be accorded Government 
for their action in so promptly realising the vital importance to the 
country generally of a constant and settled labour force. 
