147 
40 deaths and 155 cases of desertion. In Selangor 5,002 coolies 
were imported from India and 402 recruited locally; 241 coolies 
died and 1,091 deserted. 
The ratio of deaths is 27-66 per mille of the average population in 
Negri Sembilan, and 37-27 in Selangor. If the ratio is taken on 
the actual number of coolies who passed through the estates, — the 
fluctuating population — it works out at 17*55 an ^ 22*83 per mille 
respectively. 
The Superintendent took the average of work done by coolies on 
35 estates and found that each cooly worked on an average of 2i‘i 1 
days out of 26 working days in a month. He considers this an ex- 
cellent average, as indeed it is, and one which tends to show the 
healthy conditions, under which the coolies work. 
What great number of coolies however are still required, wi.ll be 
easily seen by the fact that during 1905, 278 licenses were issued 
in SeLngor alone, the number of coolies authorized to be recruited 
being 11,346 whilst up to the middle of March, 1906, already 221 
licences have been issued to recruit 9,722 coolies, and with the ex- 
tensive openings in contemplation, at least twice that number will 
in all probability be applied for. 
Whilst we fully appreciate the action of Government in recogniz- 
ing the previous disabilities under which we worked, we sincerely 
trust that though these difficulties have largely been met ; Govern- 
ment will be able in future years to continue this free ticket system, 
for it must not be forgotten that every additional cooly brought into 
the country is an added source of revenue and wealth. Large capi- 
tal has been introduced in the past few years and far more is still 
likely to be attracted, and we confidently appeal to Government to 
continue their assistance. 
Labour Ordinance. 
The working of this Enactment has given rise to very great dis- 
satisfaction in all planting circles. Under its provisions it has been 
found impossible to obtain any redress for absconding coolies as the 
only penalty to free labourers for absconding is forfeiture of wages, 
which if the cooly is already under advances as is usually the case 
is nil, as there are no wages due. 
The omission of any adequate penalty for absconding as far as 
Free Tamil Agricultural Coolies are concerned, seems all the more 
extraordinary, since under the Chinese Agricultural Labour Enact- 
ment a fine of $10- or imprisonment of 6 weeks is provided for. 
t j^> A similar cause for Indian Agricultural Free Labourers would al- 
most seem to have been only accidentally omitted from the present 
Enactment and its insertion now, we feel, would only be an act of 
justice, placing as it would, every nationality on the same footing. 
Moreover a similar provision was embodied in the Labour Enact- 
ment which was superseded by the present one, and worked then to 
the satisfaction of all. 
