5io 
conducted by private individuals, but controlled and supervised by 
the Straits authorities. They would, however, much prefer an official 
agency as outlined above. 
The Association ventures to hope that its views of this matter 
affecting so closely the interests of its members, a view arrived at 
after mature thought and with a due regard for the welfare both of 
the agricultural industry and the agricultural labourers, will receive 
His Excellency’s sympathetic consideration. 
We have, etc., 
(Sd.) Kennedy & Co., 
Secretaries. 
Mr. C. M. Gumming says that the new labour contract limited 
the term of contract to one year, or 300 days. Many planters in 
Perak, he understood, objected to this provision, and advocated a 
three years’ term. Free labourers were preferable, but it was neces- 
sary to begin with some form of indenture. A one year indenture 
was now law in the Colony and they could not have another one in 
the F.M.S. It certainly was desirable that in the future one central 
labour department be instituted. 
11. LABOUR ENACTMENTS. 
Mr. Skinner proposes that estate doctors should have power to 
send Tamil and Javanese coolies to hospital. 
Mr. Prior seconds, mentioning that Government prosecutes mana- 
gers for not sending coolies early enough to hospital. 
This resolution is passed. 
Mr. Dupuis Brown proposes that the Government be approached 
with a view to include the undermentioned clause in the estate 
Laborers’ (Protection of Health) Enactment, 1910: 
“That Kanganies in charge of or owing coolies shall be made 
directly responsible under penalty for not reporting cases of sickness 
in the lines to their Manager, more especially cases of dysentery and 
advanced fever. ” 
Mr. Day points out that this is covered by para. 27 of the Draft 
Enactment. 
Mr. Dupuis Brown wishes the power to fine not to lie with the 
manager, but with the court. 
Resolved that “ or any magistrate upon report made to him by 
such resident manager ” be inserted. 
Mr. Day speaks on the provisions of the Chinese Immigrants 
Draft Enactment. 
Resolved that in section 10 all the words from “ and no person 
except ” shall be omitted. 
