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tap one acre of rubber at least one man would be required every day 
year in and year out, whereas that same man could fell fifteen acres 
in a year. 
Malays as tappers were then discussed the unanimous opinion 
being that they did excellent work but, owing to their unwillingness 
to turn out regularly, were too unreliable to be entrusted with this 
important work as trees in bearing- must be tapped regularly. 
It was said that Javanese had proved to be excellent tappers. 
Mr. Sperling said that Jebong Estate had had a good deal of 
sickness among its Javanese and that their work there had not been 
very satisfactory. 
Messrs. Boyd, CRAWFORD and Stothard said their experience 
was that they had done excellently on the estates under their 
management and that they we**e very pleased with them. 
Mr. STOTHARD asked if it were possible to again approach the 
Kedah Government with a view to securing its co-operation in 
arresting deserters crossing the boundary between Kedah and the 
Province. It was pointed out that the last time this was done, vis. 
June 28th. 1905, the Rajah Muda’s answer was that the Kedah 
Government was powerless to take any steps in the matter under 
the treaty in force between it and the Colony. It was decided to 
send a copy of the correspondence to the consul and ask for his 
advice. 
Mr SPERLING asked if there was any limit to the ad valorem 
export duty which the Federated Malay States Government could 
levy. He' mentioned the fact that it had just been raised to 2 \%. 
Mr. TURNER thought this was the limit but it was decided to write 
to the authorities and enquire. 
Mr Symons said that he had three times summoned for desertion 
men who had left the estate without giving a month’s notice, and 
that each time the Magistrate had dismissed the case saying that as 
the men were paid at a daily rate they were day-labourers although 
they only received the money monthly. Lawyer’s advice ‘had been 
taken and the Magistrate’s notes had been called for. It was un- 
animously decided to instruct a Lawyer to watch the next similar 
case on behalf of the Association. 
The President asked when the prize essays would be ready for 
publication and was informed they were still in the hands of the 
printers but that they might be expected shortly. 
Mr TURNER said that during his absence in Europe Mr. Boyd 
had acted as President of the Association and he thought the mem- 
bers present would like to put on record their appreciation of his 
services. Mr. Boyd responded suitably. 
This concluded the business of the meeting which terminated with 
a vote of thanks to the Chair. 
