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The Chairman said that he thought it would be well to ask for 
•“ free ” coolies to be sent over. 
After some discussion as to the terms of engagement, 
Mr. Boyd proposed that a certain number of “free” coolies to 
be got over on condition that they pass the medical examination. 
He himself was quite willing to take some. 
Mr. Stothard said that, now that they were getting over “free” 
coolies, he would ask them to arrange so as the coolies would sign 
a promissory note on their arrival in Penang for the refunding of 
passage money and advances. 
Mr. CRAWFORD seconded, and the motion was carried. 
The Secretary observed that Mr. Davies expected to send 75 
coolies by the next steamer. It would be better to wait a week 
' before deciding. 
The Chairman suggested that Mr. DaVIES be instructed to consult 
with Dr. FOSTON as to the best way of increasing the number of 
coolies coming over and as to whether increasing the recruiting fee 
is essential. 
This suggestion was agreed to. 
The next business was to appoint a Secretary to act for Mr. 
Sargant while he is away on leave. 
Mr. M. H. Graham was, on the motion of Mr. B )YD, seconded 
by Mr. RITCHIE, appointed to fill the post. 
At the general meeting held on the 24th January, 1905, it was 
agreed to offer two prizes for essays on “ Rubber, its cultivation, 
mode of tapping, manipulation, etc., ” and at a committee meeting 
held on 21st March, 1905, it was proposed to give a gold medal, 
together with a money prize, for the best essay on Para rubber and 
the same for the best essay on gutta rambong. Messrs. H. N. 
Ridley, Director of Botanic Gardens, Singapore, and J. B. Carru- 
THERS, Director of Agriculture, Federated Malay States, kindly 
consented to act as examiners. 
The Secretary yesterday intimated that the essays, all dealing 
with Para rubber, had been received and passed on first to Mr. 
RlDLEV and then to Mr. CARRUTHERS. These two gentlemen 
differed on technical points as to which should be awarded first 
prize. 
After some discussion, the allocation of the prize was referred to 
the essay committee. 
The Chairman then said : I think it must be obvious to all of us 
that our position with regard to labour is becoming more and more 
acute and that unless very stringent measures are taken we may 
soon be involved in what may be called a labour war. Companies 
innumerable have been and are being started for rubber cultivation 
and while the promoters of these are promising their shareholders 
to plant up thousands of acres within a given time there is a marked 
want of foresight as regards the labour required for undertaking 
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