CO882-(2-3) — Page 611

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference

PLLC.O. 882

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

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Memorandum.

Aluence, a result which will surely follow sooner or later if he so publicly assumes the right of governing.

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(4.) Clause 98. The latter part of this clause places the Resident in a morally and politically wrong position. He should have suggested a Proclamation forbidding the practice to be circulated and enforced by the native police.

Clause 137. Deeming it important that there should be a proper road connect- ing Larut with Perak, in order to facilitate the means of commerce of the interior of that country, I have commenced a road leading from Bukit Gantang to Qualla Kangsa, a distance of 27 miles in an easterly direction passing through.

(5.) The first movement in this road- making should have been a Proclamation issued by the native ruler; this course would have cleared the Resident from all responsibility as to those arbitrary measures which are sure to be resorted to in making the road, such as compulsory labour and cheating the labourers of their hire, and the appropriation of land necessary for the road-

way.

So much for the Report, and now as to the Proclamation.

(6.) This document is altogether un- wise. The fourth paragraph should be expunged; it is neither conducive to the dignity of the native Ruler nor the proper influence of the Resident.

Answers.

(4.) To speak of issuing a Proclamation and put down debt-slavery by the native police, only shows how completely the writer has misconceived the state of society in the Malay States.

No advice would induce the Sultan to issue such a Proclamation (and he, of course, alone can do it), and no chief would obey such a Proclamation, even were it issued. In fact, it is allowed that debt-slavery is an abuse which cannot be removed by the Malays themselves, as they lack the power to enforce an order for its abolition, even could they be induced to issue one. Cap- tain Speedy, in compelling this man to accept the fine, was merely enforcing the recognised Malay custom, though one which is often evaded, from the very want of authority to carry it out.

(5.) In making this road, the Assistant- Resident was only going on with a work already begun by the native authorities, and suspended owing to the Chinese disturbances in Larut. The road has been, and is being made under the direction and supervision of the Mantri. No arbitrary measures have been resorted to; the labour has been paid for, and for the most part imported from the Straits Settlements. No land has been " appropriated."

There is scarcely any part of the road that does not run through jungle, which is Crown property. On the very small por- tions not altogether exceeding a mile in length-where the roads will cut through occupied land, the occupants will be con- penssterl.

(6.) This Proclamation is only a transla- tion of that issued by the Sultan in the native character.

However it might appear to Europeans, this paragraph would not lower the dignity of the Sultan in the eyes of the natives; and in advising the Sultan to protect the lives and property of foreigners (hitherto » matter of comparative unconcern to the Rajas) the Resident would not appear to be exerting an improper influence over him.

(7.) The words "regard with great fa- vour" merely mean "shall be very glad if;" and in another Proclamation the same words of the vernacular have been so translated. The words in this translation are ill chosen. (8) Paragraph 6 is very objectionable. (8.) "The native Ruler," i.e., the Sultan The native Ruler alone should be referred of Perak, has been anything but "com- to, of course be being so completely in the pletely in the power of the Resident," nor power of the Resident, would of necessity be has he at all considered himself "compelled compelled to consult that officer whenever "to consult that officer whenever action action relating to State affairs was required." relating to State affairs was necessary.""

(7.) Paragraph 3 is highly improper, promises of Royal favour will hereafter lead to petty and annoying claims against the State. It would be quite sufficient to state the openings for trade.

Memorandum.

In this way intrigue would be kept in check, and the influence of the Resident could not be brought to bear offensively on the native Ruler by native factions; above all, the guiding hand would only be felt, not seen.

(9.) It is very improper for native sub- jects to go backwards and forwards between the Ruler and British officer; complications and unpleasantness must arise out of such a system.

(10.) The Mantri should appear to do everything; he would in this way not feel his dependent position so much, while the Resident would not be held accountable for all the irregularities of the native adminis- tration.

When the native State shall have pros pered, and the self-importance of the Ruler shall have increased, the public, under a less prominent policy of the Resident, will not be witness to any disagreements between that officer and the native Ruler, so that a inost powerful stimulant to the rebellion of the native Ruler against the authority of the Resident will be absent.

(11.) Under the present régime the Mantri, in place of being judiciously trained to the wise exercise of his authority, is taught to regard himself as a puppet equally destitute of power and responsibility, and unconcerned in that material progress of his people, of which he should be the pro-

moter.

June 28, 1875.

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Answers.

(9.) It is difficult to understand to what this remark refers.

(10.) If the native Chiefs once felt cer- tain that the Resident was there only to "advise," and that in the event of his advice being refused he would simply say, "I wash my hands of the affair," and then wait inactive till the next opportunity of offering his advice occurred, from that moment his position in the native State would be worse than useless. For the Chiefs, whatever the Resident might say, would either ignore him completely, or tell the people that he was a party to, and approved of their proceedings.

(11.) The critic has evidently misunder- stood the position of the Mantri; he is no Raja of an independent State, but a Chief of Perak, sixth in order from the Sultan, and holding "dum bene gesserit," a particular office in the country.

No. 51.

October 16, 1875.

W. F. D. J.

GOVERNOR SIR W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON.— (Received November 22.) (No. 296.) MY LORD,

Singapore, October 20, 1875.

I HAVE the honour to forward to your Lordship a copy of the speech with which

I opened the Legislative Council on the 7th instant.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.

Enclosure in No. 51.

EXTRACT from the SPEECH of his Excellency the Governor Sir WILLIAM FRANCIO DRUMMOND JERVO18, K.C.M.G., C.B., at the Opening of the Session of Legislative Council, on Thursday, the 7th October 1875.

In the interval which has elapsed since my arrival here, some five months ago, I have endeavoured, as far as possible, by personally visiting the several parts of the Malay Peninsula, to acquaint myself with the affairs of the Native States with which our interests are so intimately associated.

Although the anarchy and confusion which were formerly so rife in these States have happily, to a great extent, disappeared with the intervention of the British Government, yet the anticipations which were formed when British Residents were first appointed to

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference:-

TELL CO. 882

3

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

.