i
a
M2- CONFIDENTIAL.
274
S JAN 1
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
11
HONGKONG. 20th November, 1920.
C
교
THEC
My Lord,
I have the honour to inform Your Lordship that application has been made by the Deli Plantere Vereeniging of the East Coast of Sumatra, through the Consul-General for the Netherlands Indies in the Colony, for permission to establish here a recruiting agency for the supply of Chinese labour to the Sumatra plantations.
2.
Assisted emigration to Dutch Possessions has been specifically permitted by the Secretary of State for the Colonies in the cases of Banka, Billiton, and Balik-
14436/14 papan. The references to the correspondence concerning
fr. Confid. Desp. of 2.4.1914.
of S. Confid. Deep. of 1.5.1914.
r. Confid. Desp. of 28.7.1914.
of 5. Telg, of 9.9.1914.
Har 3373r
-Th
these places are noted in the margin.
3.
The terms of the contract
which the labourers will be asked to
sign on arrival are satisfactory: and the Sumatra emigration,
which has hitherto been carried on direct from China coast
ports or by recruitment in Singapore, bears a good name.
The Government of the Straits Settlements also (in corres-
pondence between the Secretary for Chinese Affairs, Hong-
kong, and the Secretary for Chinese Affairs, Singapore) has
stated that it will place no obstacles in the way, and will
grant this emigration such facilities for transhipment as
the new Labour Ordinance will permit.
I have therefore informed the Consul-General
for the Netherlands Indies that he is at liberty to proceed
HE RIGHT HONOURABLE
VISCOUNT MILNER. G.C.B.,
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&C..
&c.