26 
We were unable to arrange a meeting till thf 1 3rd of December, 
when we met in Singapore and the same day had an interview with 
the Consul General for the Netherlands Indies and the Vice Consul. 
We explained to the Consul at some length that our objects were 
to facilitate the importation of Javanese coolies, to reduce the cost 
by doing away with the middle-man’s profit and also to secure a 
better class of labourer than many supplied by the present agents. 
The Consul General received us very favourably and enquired 
from us the details of the present system for the recruiting of Indian 
labourers and the regulations of the Immigration Department. He 
advised us to see the authorities in Java as soon as possible and 
to take with us a detailed statement of the Indian Immigration 
system and copies of the enactments in force. It was possible that a 
similar system might be approved by the Dutch Government, but 
this could not be for some considerable time as it would mean the 
revision of all the existing enactments. 
He then referred to the present system in Java by which certain 
firms were allowed to recruit coolies from the agricultural districts 
and said that he had no doubt that if we were to open an agency 
of our own in Java, in charge of approved persons, his Government 
would grant a licence, and we could then send out our own recruiters 
who would be registered at this agency and work under its supervision, 
more or less on the lines of the Madura Co. in India, but of course 
the coolies would be under the present system of indenture 
The Consul General further advised that it would help us very 
much if we went to Java accredited by the Government of the 
Federated Malay States, in the same way as a similar mission under 
Mr. Carey some years ago. 
We thanked the Consul General for his advice and suggestions, 
and on the 4th saw the Colonial Secretary who said that the High 
Commissioner would probably have no objection to giving us a letter 
to the Governor General if he first received an official letter from the 
Planters’ Association of Malaya, appointing us as their delegates and 
mentioning the object of our mission, and we, therefore, suggest that 
this letter should be sent at once and that we should go over to Java 
at the beginning of February. 
We need hardly point out that the establishment of some system 
of free recruiting in Java would be of incalculable benefit to the 
planters of Malaya, and now that we have received so much 
encouragement it behoves us to go ahead as quickly as possible and 
in connection with this the Consul General mentioned to us that the 
Sumatra planters were already moving in the matter and had sent 
a deputation. 
We have the honour to be. Sir, 
Your obedient servants, 
H. J. Cooper and 
(for Messrs. Maude and Pears,) 
Members of Sub-Committee. 
