PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
CO. 882
4
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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inquiry, if placed before his Excellency in the form of a report, would probably lead to a satisfactory solution of the question.
16. The relations between the Resident and the Datu Klana (the chief Native authority) are excellent, and indeed all the people of the country, Malays and Chinese, appear to have great confidence in the Resident. Nor is this feeling confined to Sungei Ujong; in the short time I have been here, several influential Malays from the small states adjoining have visited the Resident to ask his advice, as far as I can judge relying on its soundness and intending to follow it. But to me the most marked result of the residential system in Sungei Ujong is the respect in which the Datu Klana is now held by the leading Malays in his own state, and those neighbouring districts, Tenachi, Sre Mananti, &c., so lately in arms against him.
Looking at the state of affairs in 1874, and remembering the then almost universal dislike openly expressed by Malays for the Datu Klana, his present position is certainly surprising. First hated, and I think somewhat despised, then viewed with jealousy as the friend of the English Government and an innovator, he now appears to be regarded with respect, and some envy, as Chief of a peaceful and so far prosperous country, where he is assisted by the advice of an officer of the English Government, where lives and property are protected, slavery or debt bondage no longer in existence, and where there is justice, though perhaps only of a rough kind, instead of "squeezing and oppression. Sungei Ujong is not a rich country, nor a populous one, and should the price of tin fall much lower the revenues would be seriously affected.
There is little appearance of rapid increase in prosperity, few striking changes have taken place, indeed the revenue is not as high as it has been, and the Chinese population is perhaps 40 per cent. less than in 1875; but there is a change nevertheless in the rest that has come to the place, and the appearance of contentment amongst the people. The improvements effected have been made slowly, and will continue to be so, but they are none the less effectual, and I think they are better appreciated thus, when they come imperceptibly on the people, instead of being thrust on them.
They will last longer, and the people will not easily part with what they have gained. When the real value of a change which may at first have been viewed with suspicion, or even fear, dawns on a Malay, it takes deep root, and bis confidence and regard for it will grow with years, whilst the same measure introduced too hastily, perhaps too zealously, startles and frightens him, and fills him with resentment, which leaves no room for calm consideration and appreciation. I do not mean to say that there are no intelligent Malays who will see at a glance or with one explanation the benefits to be derived from a system new to them; there are many; but they are not the people, nor the majority, and if in a Malay State "the greatest good of the greatest number" is sought, then "festina lente" should be the motto in the introduction of reforms.
Farms
SUNGEI UJONG.
COMPARATIVE TABLE of Estimated and Actual Revenues and ExpendITURE for the Year from 1st January to 31st December 1877.
Estimated.
REVENDE No. 9.
Land revenue
Export trade duty
Amount.
Actual.
Amount.
Excem.
Deficit.
Dolls, cts.
65,000 00 2,400 00
Farms
Dolls. cts, 62,918 00
Dolls. cts.
Land revenue
2,222 62
89,000 00
Export trade duty
87,672 96
4,479 96
Import trade duty
2,600 00
Import trade duty
2,945 99
Dolls. cts. 12,762 00 177 88
854 08
'I'nses on conveyance Fines and fees
200 00
Taxes on conveyance
408 00
300 00
1,500 00
Fines and fees
1,984 95
484 95
Miscellaneous
673 92
672 92
Register of boats
149 50
149 50
Total
104,900 00
Total
97,574 87
5,968 83
13,313 46
-
Polwe establishment
Military expenses
Total deficit of actual revenue for the year as against estimates $7,325 18.
5,881 91 2,958 41 2,510 84
153 30
11,056 07
EXPENDITUR No. 5.
Excess
Baving.
Balaries
9,672 00
Public works
29,300 00
Salaries. Public works -
10,347 89
375 39
34,118 70
18,300 00
Police establishment
15,844 59
8,000 00
Military expenses -
Allowances to Chiefs
90,100 00
Allowances to Chiefs
Prison and hospital
6,000 00
Prison and hospital
·
Miscellaneous expenses Liquidation of debt -
4,600 00
94,000 00
Miscellaneosa expenses Liquidation of debt
689 46 90,400 00 5,846 70 7,857 00
300 00
1,757 00
12,948 98
Conveyance of mails
Olles contingencias -
114,872 00
Total
328 50 66 78
97,388 27
228 50
65 70
4,022 60 $1,550 #9
Total
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EXTRACTS from the AUDIT Report.
SELANGOR.-REVENUE and EXPENDITURE for the Year 1877.
*
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I am inclined to think the quitrents on building sites are high, and the Resident's attention might be directed to this question; it is one on which the views of the Council might be taken with advantage, also with regard to cutting wood for building, firewood, or other purposes.
It seems a pity at this early stage of the new administration in the Native States to attempt to raise a revenue on every legitimate means of livelihood. It appears to me that by placing taxes on boats merely moving about the country, on a few logs cut in the jungle, on the ground on which a man builds his small shop, that whilst increasing the revenue very slightly indeed, the means of making an honest living may appear to the very poor so great that they will leave the country. To attract a population seems the first necessity, and when that has been finally established, then to lay on them for the preservation of their own lives and property, and the maintenance of the Government, such burdens as, without unduly pressing on them, may properly be charged.
stations.
13. I think I have now dealt with all the questions of revenue in Klang that need Collection of attention. The same observations apply to Selangor and Langat, and I would suggest revenue at that the proposals I have offered, if adopted in Klang, might safely be applied by the Resident to Selangor and Langat in such modified form as his judgment and long experience would readily suggest as best suited for those districts.
14. I have gone into the accounts of Selangor and Langat, and the revenues of both places are, I may say, derived from identical sources as those of Klang, and the same system of collection would appear to be applicable to all.
At present the revenues of these places are received by Collectors, in the one Case stationed at Kwala Selangor, and in the other at Bukit Jugra, but in this last case the collections are actually made by a clerk at Bandar Langat.
These revenues are brought to account by the Collectors, and forwarded with copics of their accounts to the Treasurer at Klang, who places them to credit of Government
revenue.
The only suggestion I would make is, that in bringing these revenues to credit they should be properly classified under their respective headings in the manner I have already indicated for Klang revenues. The Collectors at the out-stations might be instructed to forward with their cash and accounts such statements, when the treasurer would only have to check their accuracy before transferring them to his abstract books. Indeed it would be perhaps most satisfactory if a separate book were kept for Selangor, The and another for Langat, into which to enter these monthly abstracts of revenue. total revenue of 'each district, month by month, the best criterion of its progress and financial prospects, could then be seen at a glance, whilst the trouble would not be great, and to counterbalance it a number of the books now kept, and the minute par- ticulars entered in them, could be dispensed with.
The revenue of Birnam does not appear in the accounts, for the sums collected in the Birnam river of that name are considered, at present, as belonging partly to Perak, and partly to revenue. Selangor. Meanwhile the district is under the superintendence of the Resident of Selangor, and the revenues are paid in fixed proportions to Raja Itam and his brothers, who were years ago placed in charge of this district by the Sultan of Selangor. Now, however, Raja Itam desires to have a fixed income, and that the revenues should pass to the State, and an arrangement will therefore be probably arrived at to carry this into effect.
The expenses of collection are defrayed equally by Perak and Sělångor, and an amount appears in the expenditure on this account.
I notice, however, that during 1877 a sum of #273 32 was received as fines from Birnam and paid into the Selangor treasury, whilst no part of this amount was credited to the Perak Government, as should apparently have been done.
16. And here, though not forming part of the revenue, but for the sake of clearness, I Expendi would say that these out-stations, to which may in this case be added Birnam, are ture. supplied with funds for their establishments, &c., month by month, from the treasury at Klang, according to the estimates, and to the monthly requisitions furnished by the Collectors, whilst a small sum is left in their hands for contingent and extraordinary expenses to be accounted for.
see from the accounts that the late Collector at Langat, Mr. Ianes, very often devoted revenues he had collected to defray expenses incurred, instead of waiting for money from
B 3
Baving in the estimated expenditure for the year 1977 $17,688 78.
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