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MAKASSER--THE EAST COAST OF SUMATRA
J. Caffin
GORONTALO
Handelsvereeniging Gorontalo W. B. Ledeboer & Co.
PRINTERS AND PUBLISHERS
Brouwer & Co.
N. V. Handelsdrukkery
"Celebes"
SHIPBROKERS
De Scheepsagentuur
STOREKEEPERS
S. Kanner & Co.
BANDA (MOLUKKEN)
Bandasche
Perkeniers-en-Handels
eeniging
ver-
MENADO
IMPORT AND EXPORT FIRMS, STOREKEEPERS
Correljé & Co.
Dircks & Co.
A. C. van Essen
W. Hesterman
W. B. Ledeboer & Co.
Moluksche Handels-Vennootschap
Crediet & Handels vereeniging "Panda"
Lützow & Co.
J. A. Sauerbier
TERNATE
STEAMSHIP COMPANIES
Koninklijke Paketvaart Maatschappij
Agency
N. V. Winkel My. v/h. R. Brings Ned. Ind. Escompto Maatschappij Nederl. Nieuw Guinea Handel
Maatschappij
THE EAST COAST OF SUMATRA
This part of the East-Coast of the Island of Sumatra is situated between the Government of Acheen and its Dependencies in the North, the Straits of Malacca in the East, Indragiri (a part of the Residency of Riouw and its Dependencies) in the South, and the Residency of Sumatra's West Coast and of Tapanoeli in the West. It includes a great number of States, each of which under control of the Governor is ruled by a native Prince or Chief, who, according to his rank and dependency, is styled Sultan, Yang di Pertuan, Kedjuruan, Radjah, Datu, etc. The country is administered by a Governor, 6 Assistant-Residents, 14 Controleurs (incl. Gezaghebbers) and 1 Assistant-Controleur. Justice is dispensed by the Court of Justice at Medan, the Landraad of Medan and Bindjei, Tandjung Balei and Bengkalis, the residen- tiegerechten of Bindjei, Tandjong Balei and Bengkalis, the Magistrates, and by native courts or Karapattan. The staple industry of the country is agriculture, and this being dependent upon imported labour (Chinese and Javanese), the labour question is carefully guarded by a special Coolie Ordinance. All coolies are indentured under advances. The employer must house his people properly, provide them with medical attendance and food when sick, and monthly payments are compulsory. Six special officials (1 Inspector and 5 adj. Inspectors of Labour) look after this.
Land is leased from the ruling prince or chief of the district for a certain number of years, so much per bahu or per acre being paid down, and a minimum f1. per babu or per acre per annum being paid as annual quittance.
The supremacy of the Dutch Government is based upon political treaties with each of the Princes, in whose hands is left the jurisdiction over their own subjects except so: far as relates to the infliction of the death penalty and banishment, and the disposal of land or landed property. Land contracts with Europeans, while made between the ruling prince and the concessionaire, are subject to the approval of the Governor. Mining- contracts require the approval of the Governor-General of the Netherland-Indies. In all the States the Dutch Government has bought the right to collect the customs duties and the ordinary revenues. Land revenue, collected by Government officials, is at the disposal of the native rulers and his chiefs. The best known of the States is Deli, where tobacco planting was first introduced, and by which name the whole of the East Coast is sometimes designated. Deli, Langkat, Serdang and other tobacco-growing districts, are celebrated throughout the world for their fine- silky tobacco leaf, which is specially fitted for the outside wrappers of cigars, being at
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