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native “ Eegent ” is treated with a considerable amount of 
respect and ceremonial, but he is, nevertheless, a mere 
puppet in the hands of the Dutch. Drawing a large 
salary in virtue of his post, and having merely nominal 
duties, he is wise enough in most cases to carry out the 
wishes of his European masters. If not, he is dismissed, 
and dismissal means virtual ruin. Other native officials 
are the waidonos and mantris , with whom the Dutch 
“ Controleur ” is chiefly brought in contact. A large 
portion of the time of the latter officer is employed in 
business connected with the “ culture-system.” 
No account of Java would be complete without some 
description of this “ culture-system,” and its connection 
with the corvte, which has been so fiercely attacked 
since the publication of Max Havelaar. Introduced by 
General van den Bosch in 1830, it has survived in a 
modified form to the present day. It was based upon the 
plan, which has already been alluded to, of excluding 
Europeans and making the island a Government farm. 
It aimed at bringing the most scientific farming to bear 
upon the most remunerative products, and at utilising 
such time and labour of the peasant as was not needed 
for the cultivation of his necessary bread-stuffs. The 
natives of the dessas where the land appeared suitable 
were called upon to plant the various trees or seeds pro¬ 
vided for them by the Government. Their number or 
acreage was decided by the same authority, as were also the 
site, the season, and the method of cultivation. A fixed 
rate of wages was paid to the labourers engaged in clear¬ 
ing the ground and forming the plantations, and the 
produce was bought by Government at a fixed price. 
This money, after the deduction of a certain percentage 
for the chiefs, was divided among the labourers, the sum 
in good years being considerable. In this manner were 
