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“ That this Association is of opinion that it would be desirable to 
fix the hours for cooly labour from 6 a. m. to 4 p. m. with one hour off 
in the middle of the day, and that a uniform rate of pay of 27 cents for 
men and 20 cents for women be observed.” 
Mr. J, Hunter said that the Members of the Kuala Selangor 
D. P. A. had unanimously agreed as to the desirability of a uniform 
rate of wage and uniform hours of work. Some of those with whom 
he had discussed the question thought that two hours’ interval in the 
middle of the clay would be better, working hours thus being from 6 to 
11 and 1 to 5. He had neighbours paying 33 cents for Tamil coolies. 
It was against all principle and they should agree to some uniform rate 
for all Selangor. 
Mr. Edgar Smith seconded the resolution and urged the necessity 
of an official hour for knocking off work. 
Mr. A. B. Lake opposed the resolution. The meeting had to deal 
with the interests of the whole of Malaya, not of Selangor only. At 
the meeting held on January 19th a motion brought forward by Mr. 
Pears of Johore had shown that a hard and fast rule was Impossible. 
It was essentially a matter for the District Associations. 
Mr. H. M. Darby agreed with Mr. Lake. There was a great differ- 
ence between the various districts in Selangor, and estates in un- 
healthy districts could not expect to get labour at the same rates as 
those more advantageously situated. 
Mr. C. L. Gibson said it was outside the object of the P. A. M. to 
interfere with matters which concerned the District Associations. The 
P. A. M. had been formed, so to speak, for Imperial purposes, and 
questions like the one under discussion were for the District Associ- 
ations. Even if carried, such a resolution could not be binding, as was 
shown the other day when Mr. Skinner stood out on the question of 
Sunday names. 
Mr. J. Gibson : — This is the parent Association. The District 
Associations as children ask advice of the parent. It is necessary to 
stop the enticing away of labour by estates just over the boundary. 
Mr. Hunter: — If the resolution is confirmed by the P. A. M., our 
hands will be strengthened. 
Mr. H. F. Browell : — This Association can only express its sym- 
pathy and regret that some planters should pay higher wages than 
their neighbours. 
Mr. Hunter : — In Ceylon the same rate of wages applies 
throughout. 
Mr. Skinner: — A Labour Commission is now studying the system, 
which has been found very unsatisfactory. 
The resolution was then put to the meeting and lost. 
X. The next business was the discussion of a motion forwarded 
by the Kuala Selangor D. P. A. : — 
That any Member not a Delegate bringing forward an original 
motion be allowed to speak to the same at P. A. M. meetings.” 
Mr. Hunter, in supporting this motion, pointed out that a Mem- 
ber of a District Association might get a resolution carried at a meeting 
of his Association. On the resolution coming before the P. A. M. 
