97 
he believed that all planters were in favour of it. Let them con- 
sider what might be done. Unity of action, however, was absolutely 
necessary if the scheme was to be a success. The planters’ interests 
in this matter were one throughout. They must ask Government, 
and the miners through the Chamber of Mines, to joint hands with 
them. They should discuss the matter first and then circularise 
them. Government would probably be ready to meet them in any 
reasonable scheme that might be put forward. He was merely 
giving a rough idea of the scheme. Printed tickets of a form to be 
decided should be issued to all coolies now employed, to include all, 
whether indentured or free. Contractors should have one ticket 
only stating the number of men in their gangs. He would suggest 
that the necessity of some such scheme would be thoroughly demon- 
strated if returns of bolters from all estates could be sent in every 
month. 
The Chairman supported the idea, and mentioned that he himself 
gave discharge tickets to all indentured coolies. The weak point, 
however, was that other employers who did not adopt the scheme 
would always be ready to take on coolies without tickets. 
Mr. Day asked if it was any use going on with the scheme if 
Government were not willing to lend their support. Mr. Gibson 
replied that he thought that Government would help them if they 
made a definite move. Mr. Day pointed out the difficulties in their 
way unless both Government and the miners jointed in. 
Mr. GiBSON then put his resolution as follows: — “That, subject to 
the co-operation of Government and the miners, Members of this 
Association pledge themselves to give discharge tickets to all 
coolies, tindals and mandores, Tamil and Javanese, when honestly 
leaving their employ or being paid off, and not to engage any Tamil 
or Javanese who cannot produce such discharge tickets.” This 
was seconded by Mr. B. C. N. Knight, and carried nem con. 
Mr. GiBSON then proposed for discussion a further resolution 
running as follows: “ That in view of the fact that a large proportion 
of the present classes of labour being sent over from Java is very 
unsatisfactory and very costly, Government be asked if they could 
intervene and assist the planter in securing a suitable class of coolie, 
possibly by appointing a Superintendent of Emigrants to reside in 
Java, holding a position similar to that of the present Superintendent 
of Emigrants, Negapatam, or in such other way as may seem best 
to Government.” 
The Chairman said personally he did not see that it could be 
done. Java was not, like India, British territory, and the Govern- 
ment would not have the right to station an agent in Java. 
Mr. GiBSON suggested that Government should be approached to 
see if anything could be done by friendly arrangement with the 
Dutch authorities so as to rectify the present crying evils. The 
coolies being sent over were getting worse and worse in physique, 
anaemic and consumptive, many of them opium-smokers, while the 
majority were the sweepings of the towns, not agricultural labourers, 
