Mr. Cumming says that the question had not been 
brought up by the planters at ail. The Madura Company 
had always treated the Kanganyj employers with great con- 
sideration. They had won the confidence of Kanganies 
and there had never been any question of their squeezing 
the coolies. Their charges might look high, but there was 
no doubt that they did work which did not appear in the bill 
helping coolies up country, aid so on. Therefore he 
thought it would be a great pity for them, wanting a regular 
supply of labour, to upset the Madura Co If later on it 
were necessary to cut down expenses, they could do so, when 
the labour conditions were on a firmer basis. 
Mr. Gibson endorses Mr. Cumming 's remarks. He had 
made it a point to ask every one he met, and he had heard 
not a single complaint. The telegram costs were the only 
charge which seemed heavy, but he had a talk with Mr. 
Mansfield, of the Madura Company, (who was at present on 
a visit to Selangor), and he had learnt that they had 
arranged a code which would reduce expenses. The Com- 
pany's correspondence alone was enormous. The kanga- 
nies and coolies all spoke very highly of the Company. 
Mr. Lake agrees and mentions* that if a kangany had 
to appear in Court, the Company made arrangements for 
him to be defended. He would like to know to whom thev 
would have recourse if the Madura Co. refused to reduce 
their charges. 
Mr. Skinner says that the question probably arose 
through a letter which he wrote last year to the Super- 
intendent of Immigrants ashling if there was any chance of 
the Madura Co. inducing tli/eir charges. The Superinten- 
dent replied that it would be no good unless the planters 
were prepared to run an agency of their own and all plan- 
ters would have to promise) not to support the Co. This of 
course, they would not do. f He also had had a conversation 
with Mr. Mansfield and he was convinced that the Co. was 
doing everything in their power to help them. 
Mr. Zaeharias produces the code referred to and ex- 
plained that in any word could be given the name of the 
Estate and the number of coolies out of the boat. Messrs 
Hampshire & Co. would get the cable and would send out 
postcards. The whole charge would be $1, inclusive of 
everything. 
Mr. Cumming proposes that in reply the Superinten- 
dent of Immigrants be informed that the Association do 
not think it necessary to interfere with the Madura Co 
