PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference:
TTIFICO. 882
سلني سائين
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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The revenue estimated by Mr. Low as likely to be received this year is $328,970, and in spite of the reduction of the duty upon tin, of an almost total failure in the rice crop of last year, and a murrain which has destroyed a large quantity of cattle used for agricultural purposes, the revenue of the half year ending 30th June last reached 8153,667, on which date the Perak Treasury had a balance in hand of upwards of 845,000.
It is, I consider, doubtful, indeed unlikely, that under the exceptionally disadvantageous circumstances just mentioned, the full amount of this year's estimate will be realized, and it is questionable whether next year's revenue will reach the amount estimated for 1878. Much will depend on this year's rice crop, the prospects of which are by no means favourable, owing to the unusual length of the wet season, and the loss of cattle referred to.
As in previous years, the chief item of the revenue in 1877, and the first half of the current year, was derived from the duty on tin, the excise farms standing next, and the remainder being made up of a considerable number of less important items, such as the duty on gutta, the sale of timber, and so forth.
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The expenditure of Perak in 1877 was $292,710 against $289,476 in the previous year, but the efficiency of the departments has been increased, and the revenues are now more judiciously expended than in former years. 1877 was the first year in respect of which detailed estimates were submitted to and approved by the Governor. The estimated expenditure for the present year is $280,332. These figures no not include any sum for the repayment of debts or interest thereon.
The re-organization of the police force, alluded to in my Despatches Nos. 224 and 255 of the 1st and 27th of August last, will necessitate an increase in the expenditure under that head, but unless in the event of some unforeseen calamity', such as a further and more considerable fall in the market price of tin, I have great confidence that, as in 1876–7, Mr. Low is the Resident will be again able to keep the expenditure below the revenue. exceedingly careful in matters of finance, and deserves great praise for his efforts to im- press on the Perak Government the importance of strict economy.
The chief items of expenditure are establishments, allowances to chiefs, and public works, including the construction and upkeep of roads.
Another commission has been appointed to inquire into the Mantri's debts, and by the time they submit their report I shall be in a better position to consider the general question of the Perak debts, both to private individuals and to this Government. In the meantime I shall take measures to ensure as far as possible that the debt of Perak to this Govern- ment is not increased, and that at least a fair interest may be paid on it as it now stands, viz., 8282,775 on the 30th of June last.
Several of the higher officers on the establishment have been compelled from sickness to take leave this year, and considerable difficulty has been experienced in arranging for the performance of their duties. Some of the subordinates, especially in the telegraph department, are not conducting themselves to the satisfaction of the Resident, but I irust that next year it may be possible to reform this department altogether, and to place it under the charge of a responsible head. The solitary life, the difficulties of communi- cation, and of procuring supplies, and the total absence of any sort of amusement in the Native States, has a demoralizing effect on men of the stamp of those procurable by the offer of only a moderate salary, and this is an evil which we can only hope to see remedied by the gradual work of civilization, and by the introduction into the service of the States of young officers of a higher class. I believe an improvement in this respect has been effected during the last 12 months, but the process is necessarily a slow one.
I am happy to be able to report that the introduction of a mixed Council in Perak has proved very successful, satisfactory in the assistance it has afforded to the Resident, and satisfactory to the Native members in the consideration shown to them and their prejudices, and the importance attaching to their membership. Those of the higher Chiefs who have not a seat in the Council have been otherwise encouraged and brought forward, while a much needed step has been taken in the appointment of Punghulus or headmen of the smaller districts and villages. These appointments have not yet been completed, but they are under the consideration of the Rajah Muda and the Council, and when finally made a decision will be arrived at as to the most advisable means of remunerating them for their services, whether by a per-centage on their collections, or by fixed salaries. This matter was incidentally referred to in the enclosures to my Despatch No. 255, of the 27th August 1878.
The question is also under consideration whether it would not be advisible to eliminate the Chinese element from the Perak Council, which sits at Kwala Kangsa, and in whose general proceedings the Chinese members appear to take but little interest, and to form
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a separate Chinese Council (for advice and discussion only), to sit in Larut, and there aid the Resident on questions affecting the Chinese population. For myself, I am rather disposed to regard the proposal favourably, but when it comes before me in a definite
consideration. your form I shall have the honour of submitting it for
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European capital to a considerable amount has been invested in the opening of a large sugar estate near the mouth of the Perak River. Two gentlemen, coffee planters from Ceylon, are at present prospecting in Perak, and should they find the soil and climate suitable for their purpose, intend to open a coffee estate there. Every encouragement and assistance will, as reported in my Despatch No. 202 of 11th July 1878, be given to assist them in such an undertaking.
You will thus observe that if I do not feel justified at present in holding out hopes of a great increase in the revenue of Perak and a speedy adjustment of all liabilities, I at the same time see no reason to apprehend a retrograde movement, while I am satisfied that the people are fairly contented and peaceful, and that all, both Chiefs and ryots, are beginning to be better disposed towards the new order of things.
SALANGORE.
The revenue of Salangore in 1875 amounted to $115,651, in 1876 to $193,476, These figures show a steady improvement. For and in 1877 to $226,853.
this year the revenue is estimated by the Resident to reach $259,630, but as the revenue for the six months ended the 30th June amounted to only $88,159, or about a third of the anticipated total revenue, I question whether the Resident's estimate will be realised in the actual receipts.
In Salangor, as in Perak, the fall in the price of tin in 1877 rendered necessary a reduc- tion in the duty on that metal, and this reduction no doubt somewhat affected the It speaks well, however, for the receipts, tin being here also the chief item of revenue. financial condition of Salangore that the accounts of 1877 showed an increase over those of 1876 on almost every item of revenue, and the stability of the total revenue is there- fore the more to be depended upon.
1876 #191,174, and in 1877 $232,090. A balance of about $7,000 brought forward from 1876 kept the expenditure of last year within the disposable means of the State. The estimated expenditure of the current year is $234,976, but the actual expenditure during the six months ended the 30th June amounted to only $83,918, being little more than a third of the estimated expenditure for the year.
The expenditure in Salangore, in 1875 was 111,305, in
After the first and most considerable item on the estimates of expenditure-namely, that of establishments, in which I include allowances to native chief—the next largest item in nearly all the native States is for public works, but it is well understood that only such sums will be expended from year to year under this head as are absolutely available for the purpose, and therefore the actual expenditure of Salangore for the first half of the current year has been kept considerably under the estimate, so as not to exceed
the revenue.
Since 1875 Salangore has been paying considerable sums yearly, both as interest and repayment of principal on her State debts, which are now bonded, and interest at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum is regularly paid upon them, as well as a refund of prin- In 1877, besides the interest, a refund of cipal when the funds of the State admit of it. principal, at the rate of 9 per cent., was paid by the State.
On the whole, I consider the financial condition of Salangore to be a fairly satisfactory Elements of substantial progress are apparent, one and likely to improve in the future. and whereas in 1874 a considerable revenue was received from the district of Klang alone, Salangore, Langat, and Birnam all now contribute large annual sums to the total revenues of the State,
The whole of the revenues of Salangore are now paid into the State treasury, and many abuses have thereby been put a stop to, whilst those formerly in authorised receipt of revenues collected by themselves have been compensated by allowances as paid officials, or by pensions.
The State Council in Salangore has proved a successful experiment, though hardly to the same extent as in Perak, the uncertain position of the President, Tunku dia Udin, having no doubt had its effect on the deliberations and working of the Council. On the whole, the establishment of this body has done good, and I think that increased advan- tages will result in future years from its institution.
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