409 
In. order to encourage the flow of capital into the country it be- 
hoved the Government to encourage planters by making the means of 
communication as good and easy as possible, also to get the Codified 
laws of the State translated and published in English in order that the 
intending planter might know something of the laws of the land in 
which he might invest his capital. 
A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings. 
W. N. Gawlee, 
Honorary Secretary. 
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE. 
To the Members of the Johoee Planters’ Association ; 
Gentlemen,— 
In presenting for your consideration the First Annual Report of 
this Association we congratulate you on the progress that we have 
been able to make during the year that has now come to an end. 
Nothing of a very eventful character has occurred and not very many 
important matters have been brought before you. In mentioning the 
business that has been transacted we will dwell as briefly as possible on 
the outstanding points of our past year’s work congratulating you on 
the unanimity with which all our decisions have been arrived at. 
1. This Association was formed at a meeting of Johore Planters 
held in the Johore Club on June 11th, 1907, His Highness the Sultan 
kindly consenting to be the First Honorary President and Messrs. R. 
Pears and Bryce to be Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively. 
The former resigned his position on the return of his brother Mr. Fran- 
cis Pears from Europe early this year and the latter on his departure 
to Europe in the autumn of last year. Thereupon Mr. Francis Pears 
was appointed Chairman and Mr. R Pears, Vice-Chairman. 
2. During the year eight General and Committee Meetings have 
been held and have on the whole been well attended, the average at 
the former being 10 and at the latter -meetings 6 members. 
As our Members’ Roll now totals 23 you will see that a fair 
amount of interest has been displayed in the business of the Associ- 
ation, taking into consideration the great distances that some of our 
members have to travel, if they wish to attend our meetings. 
3. On October 19th, 1907, the Chairman (Mr. R. Pears) attended 
the Ipoh Conference which had for its result the formation at Kuala 
Lumpor on December the 1st of the “ Planters’ Association of Malaya ” 
which is composed of delegates elected by each of the Local Associ- 
ations and which focusses the opinion of Planters from all parts of the 
Peninsula. On this central body this Association is represented by 
the Chairman, Secretary and two elected delegates, the basis of re- 
presentatives being 10 per cent, of the members of each local associa- 
tion with a minimum of 4 representatives. 
Your delegates have attended each of the three meetings of the 
Central Association that have been held during the past year. 
L The following is a brief account of the business transacted by 
this Association during the year 1907-8 ; — 
