69 
on the subject of the creation of the Federal Council or the 
appointment of an additional planting representative on 
the Legislative Council, 1 am directed to inform you that 
the question of the Legislative Machinery of the Federated 
Malay States has engaged His Excellency’s attention for 
some time. His Excellency is in communication with the 
Secretary of States on the subject, but is not yet in a 
position to make any statement in regard to it. 
2. A copy of your letter is being forwarded to the 
Secretary of State. 
I have etc., 
(Sgd.) S. McArthur, 
A g. Federal Secretary, 
R. W, Harrisox, Esq., 
Chairman, 
The Planters’ Association of Malaya, 
Kuala Lumpur. 
Mr. C. L. Gibson considered this reply very satis- 
factory and that H. E . should be thanked for same. 
This is seconded by Mr. J. Gibson by and carried by 
acclamation. 
VII. Absconding 'Cookies, The Secretary reads the 
following correspondence: 
October, 9th 1908. 
The Resident-General, F. M. S., Kuala Lumpur. 
Sir, — I have the honour to inform you, that at the last 
Meeting of this Association held on the 5th instant, the 
question of the loss of labor through absconding was again 
thoroughly discussed. 
Excellent as the results of the recently introduced Im- 
migration Fund no doubt will eventually be, this Associa- 
tion yet feel that many years must elapse, before the evil of 
absconding will cease to an appreciable extent, and that in 
the meantime, surely, Planters, who heavily contribute to- 
wards the cost of importing fresh laborers are entitled to 
be assisted by your Government to retain the coolies thus 
recruited. 
. ^ order to achieve this end, the Members of this As- 
sociation are unanimous, that a system of registration has 
become necessary and they suggest, that this be worked on 
the following lines. 
1. That an officer of the Indian Immigration Depart- 
ment be attached to every District Officer, 
