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practically what they have to do in the way of ruling their country: The condition of the Malayan States at present is so primitive that the duties of their rulers are of the most elementary character. To preserve order, to do justice and prevent oppression, to collect the revenue on fixed principles, to spend a portion of it in making roads and waterworks, and in providing for the security of the people, are the simple duties required in the first instance.
The native Chiefs may be said to know this, but they are indolent, self-indulgent, and averse to continuous exertion in any direction. They do not know how to commence a new line of conduct, still less how to persevere in it; and there is an utter absence of that feeling of security for life and property necessary to induce the people to work. What is wanted, therefore, in the first instance, is not advice, but to be placed in a position of security, and then to be shown how to carry on their work; and, by example, to be kept up to the steady exertion necessary for governing a country. Such aid Í submit can only be given by an officer permanently resident with the Chiefs: one whom, from his position as the Representative of the British Government, they and their people would be bound to respect, and who, by his conduct among them, should soon acquire their confidence and esteem.
The qualifications necessary for such an officer, beside the knowledge of the language and customs of the Malays, would not be of a high order: a good temper, common sense, and firm but patient treatment in the intercourse with the Malays will suffice, in most instances, to enable a British officer to be useful to, and to exercise a commanding influence over the Chiefs and people. The innate superiority of the ordinary Englishman, in his sense of honour and justice, is sufficient to dominate the inferior character of the Malay, and to acquire the respect which will enable him to perform his duties efficiently.
It seems to me that to depend on occasional visits, as recommended by the Auditor- General, would be to court the consequences he fears; that is, the worry of always getting good advice.
No doubt hereafter advice, and sound professional engineering, legal and medical advice, will be required to enable the work of government to be carried on in its higher developments, but this advice could not be given by an ordinary Resident. It can, when required, be had from the Straits Government through the Resident.
It is not advice the Malay Chiefs want in the first instance, it is example for them- selves, and security for their people; and these can, in my opinion, be found, as matters now stand, only in the actual and permanent residence of European officers among
them.
I have read the Auditor-General's Minute on this despatch with some concern. It shadows out a state of affairs among the Malay Chiefs calculated to excite apprehension. A number of details of complications, apparently of a grave character, are given, which, to a reader not acquainted with the people and their country, would leave an impression On of difficulty to be encountered by our Government in dealing with the native States. this point I think the Secretary of State might at once be reassured. Nothing is more certain than that our Governinent is easily able to clear up all such difficulties. The influence of the Government among the Malay States is undoubted. It only requires that the wishes of Government should be made known to the native rulers to secure implicit obedience. If any doubts had existed on this point, they would surely be removed by the result of recent proceedings in Perak and Salangore. For any useful purpose, however, it is essential that the policy of Government should be consistent and should be carried out steadily. Intermittent interference, without permanent steady action, cannot, I think, be expected to be useful.
I would call attention to that part of Mr. Irving's Minute which refers to alliances between the several States. The instances of this sort of complication are the alliance between Tuanku Kudin and the Bandabara of Pahang, the help given to the Tuanku by his brother the Raja of Quedah, and against him by the Chief of Sungie Ujong, and the supposed combination against the Maharajah of Johore. It is only necessary for Govern- ment now to express a wish against such alliances and combinations to secure their immediate cessation. I think myself it is to be regretted that they have been allowed to go so far. They are obviously inexpedient, as likely to lead to embarrasing and unnecessary complications, and ought, therefore, I submit, to be checked.
The appointment of a resident at such of the native States as desire it will, I think, have the effect of establishing order in the State. The mere presence of a European officer of Government will suffice for this purpose. With order will come security, large immigration and production of tin, or other produce of the country, and with these large revenues and consequent ability to improve the country and its people.
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This end can, I believe, be gained by Government without involving itself in responsibilities such as would not be justified in carrying out the duty stated in the despatch, where it is said to be "incumbent on Her Majesty's Government to employ such influence as they possess with the native Princes to rescue, if possible, these fertile and productive countries from the ruin which must befal them if the present disorder continue unchecked."
Speaking for myself, after a residence of upwards of thirty years in these Settle- ments. I venture to hope that Her Majesty's Government will now intervene in the manner proposed, and thus protect the Malayan States from further evil.
(Signed) T. BRADDELL,
Attorney-General, Straits Settlements.
Inclosure 5 in No. 85.
Memorandum by the Colonial Secretary regarding Native States, with reference to Secretary of State's despatch of 20th September, 1873.
I HAVE carefully read this despatch and its inclosures, as well as the minutes of my colleagues in the Executive Council, and like the Attorney-General, I have done so with much gratification, as I trust it is the foreshadowing of a course of policy which I have felt convinced for some time past must, sooner or later, be adopted by Her Majesty's Government, unless they desire to see our influence in this part of the East wholly disappear.
2. It is almost unnecessary for me to say more than record my entire assent to every- thing the Attorney-General has written in his Memorandum on this subject.
3. But I think it as well very distinctly to record that my experience as an Execu- tive and Judicial Officer for the last twenty-seven years among an Eastern people has taught me that they are perfectly incapable of good government, or even of maintaining order, without guidance or assistance from some stronger hand than is ever to be found amongst themselves.
4. I feel quite convinced that only two courses remain open to Great Britain if she desires to "promote the restoration of peace and order, to secure trade and commerce with the native territories, and to rescue, if possible, these fertile and productive countries from the ruin which must eventually befal them."
The first I put aside, as it is evidently at present not the policy of Her Majesty's Government, viz., "complete annexation."
But the alternative, "establishing a Protectorate, with a British Resident," I believe to be perfectly feasible, and to be all that is required.
5. This principle I sincerely trust we shall now see adopted in all the States, and I am convinced its good fruits will rapidly show themselves. The moment a British officer takes up his residence in Perak, in faroot, or on any of the three rivers of Salangore, we shall find an immediate influx of Chinese, and even of Malays from other States; the revenues properly collected on fixed principles will naturally increase; justice will be administered, and oppression prevented; order will be preserved, and security for life and property, at present unknown in any of them, will be ensured; while the country will soon be opened up by roads, and cultivation will everywhere increase.
6. These advantages can never be brought about by the appointment of a mere itinerary officer visiting the native Rulers from time to time, because, as I have said, they are incapable of governing properly, and even of maintaining order, without guidance from a stronger power, and the hand that guides them must ever he present amongst them.
7. I agree entirely in what the Attorney-General says as to the certainty that our Government can easily clear all the present difficulties in these countries, but to do so
up I think very immediate action is required.
J. W. W. BIRCH,
(Signed)
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