371 
froni those of an ordinary ageit to a commercial under- 
taking that I am unable to agreje with the statements con- 
tained m paragraph 4 of the Coijnpany’s letter. 
/I have, etc., 
(Sgd[.) L. H. Clayton, 
Supdt, of Immigrants, S.S. & FJI.S. 
Cha / rmqm, Immigration Com mittee. 
j Penang, 3rd March , 1909. 
Gentlemen, I have the honour to infcfrm vou that the 
possibility o f reducing the initial cost to employers in the 
h ederated Maiay States of refcruiting labourers bv means 
ot kangames m India has recently engaged the attention 
ot the Immigration Committee/. 
2. The scale of charges f^>r the services you render to 
planters has been made the subject of some comment and as 
the question is to come up for discussion at a Meeting of the 
Committee to be held shortly ][ should be glad to receive an 
expression of your views as tol the possibility- of a reduction 
m existing rates. J 
I informed that the existing charges are as 
follows : 
Five per cent on all disbursements, a fixed fee of 8 
annas per cool y and a shipping charge of 4 annas per head. 
I is understood that as a rule a bill is drawn on the em- 
ptoyer for the amount due within a very few days of the 
expenditure and that the bank charges, for remittance are 
paid by the planters. (] 
4. The services rendered to the planters in return for 
these charges do not so far as I am aware differ in any 
considerable degree from those of an agent to a commercial 
undertaking for which a very usual inclusive charge is 2 
per cent on the monthly disbursements. 
o. "While there is so far as I am aware no disposition 
to criticise the manner in which your services to the planters 
are carried out, there does appear to be a feeling that the 
woik could and should be done at something approximate 
to ordinary agency charges. 
6*. [ would ask you to, give this question your serious 
attention and I should be glad to hear from vou at an early 
date whether you see your way to making’a reduction in 
the rates now charged. 
I have, etc., 
(Sgd.) L. H. Clayton. 
