1 62 
I agree with paragraphs 4 to 10 but not with paras I to 3 as I 
think that an increase of the existing uniform assessment to $10 per 
"nd tire payment of recruiting allowances would give more 
satisfactory results. • ggd. L h. Clayton. 
Mr. Gumming explains the proposals to the meeting. The com- 
mittee had increased the maximum assessment to $3 as a 
that any sums which the Immigration Committee might borrow 
would be repaid. Government was willing to grant lo ans, but wa 
to be assured that the Fund would eventually repay them. Under 
the present Enactment no alteration in the assessment could be ma l , 
and it was advisable that the Immigration Department should have 
power to alter it. At present the finances did not justify a larger 
recruiting allowance than $ 5 - The surtax was introduced as the th n 
end of the wedge, whereby local recruiters would be got at eventually 
It was only a small tax, but it was a matter of principle, and the idea 
was to raise it eventually to such a sum as would deter local recruit- 
ing. The exemption of Government was agreed to as being only tair 
in view of the Government subsidy to the B. I. S. N. Co. 
The position was a difficult one. Although opinions differed as 
to whether they were on the right lines— many thought they were 
better off before Government stepped in— still there had arisen that 
Government interference, and he thought, under the circumstances, 
they ought to give their approval to these resolutions. The subsidy 
to the B. I. S. N. Co., out of which arose that interference, would 
shortly expire, and then, he thought, would be the time for the 
planters to decide whether they wished to free themselves from inter- 
ference. 
Mr. J. Gibson was prepared to support the resolutions only on 
the understanding that they were not permanent. Planters had not 
benefited from Government interference. The Enactment had been 
tried and founding wanting. The vicissitudes of tropical agriculture 
were many and advancing taxation would soon be very serious* to the 
industry. 
Mr. H. L. Jarvis inquires how it would be possible to break 
away from Government. 
Mr. Trotter thinks that the differ ential treatment, which local 
recruiters are to receive, will be much too slight a one, to be felt 
at all. 
Mr. A. B. Milne said it was a question not so much of 'getting 
labour but of keeping it. The scheme did not appear to do enough 
as regards the latter. 
Mr. E. B. Skinner said that the only money that would have 
to be borrowed would be to pay the $4.50 recruiting allowance for the 
second half of 1910. The tax would cover the rest. No ordinary estate 
that recruited labour would have to pay the surtax. They had gone 
into the matter thoroughly, and were convinced that the figures wers 
correct. 
