314
30481/1 jms.
extremely difficult if not impossible to provide a supply of
labour both to the Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay
States as well as to other places that may be concerned the only
alternative to complete cessation being to engage for shortening
periods up to the date referred to, a system which would obviously
be impracticable.
As the present system, whatever its disabiliti-
-es, is better than none at all and ought not to be discontinued
until a better one has been carefully considered and substituted
therefor, I have the honour to urge for your favourable consideram
-tion that the interpretation of your instructions based on your
Despatch of the 28th. September above should be taken to be the
correct one and that labourers may up to the 30th. June, 1914, continue to be engaged for the 300 days period.
I may state that I am at present engaged in
conferring with the Government of the Straits Settlements on the
matter of the institution of a new system in accordance with the
terms of your instructions.
5 I have also to point out that in your Des- -patches on this subject it is only the matter of emigration to
the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States that is
specifically mentioned and I am in some doubt as to whether you intend the instructions to apply to emigration to other places such as Billiton, Banca and British North Borneo.
I should therefore be glad to receive by tele-
-gram as early as convenient your pronouncement on this matter as well as on the question of the date at which 300 days engagements
must cease to be entered into.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
Amaz
Governor,&c..