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Settlements and Federated Malay States. This appointment was abolished in 1914; but, with the growing importance to Malaya of a proper scrutiny of Chinese political movements, it was found necessary to restore the appointment, and the post of Secre- tary for Chinese Affairs was re-created in the Colony in 1920, while at the same time a separate post of Secretary for Chinese Affairs was created for the Federated Malay States.
5. It is clean in my view and in that of my advisers, that the problems which I have outlined in paragraph 3 of this despatch are problems which have to be treated for Malaya as a whole. The immigration of Chinese into Malaya and the control of them once they are here is a single problem, in which unity of policy and direction is essential.
Accordingly on my return from leave last year I took the opportunity of appoint- ing a single officer to act both as Secretary for Chinese Affairs, Straits Settlements, as well as Secretary for Chinese Affairs, Federated Malay States. This experiment has It has resulted in a unity of proved sound, not only in theory, but also in practice. policy under my direction with regard to the many problems connected with the growing Chinese population of Malaya which, before, it had proved in practice difficult
to attain.
6. I therefore propose, subject to your approval, to make permanent the present successful experiment, and to extend it to cover the whole Peninsula. I recommend that in place of the two existing appointments of Secretary for Chinese Affairs, Straits Settlements, and Secretary for Chinese Affairs, Federated Malay States, there should be a joint appointment of Secretary for Chinese Affairs, Malaya. This officer will be responsible to me, as Governor and High Commissioner, for the adoption throughout Malaya of one uniform policy with regard to those important Chinese questions which I have mentioned. He will also be the executive officer responsible for the conduct of the Chinese Protectorates throughout the Straits Settlements and the Malay States. Such an appointment is similar to the appointment of Con- troller of Labour, Malaya, which formed the subject of Sir L. N. Guillemard's Federated Malay States despatch No. 39 of the 24th January, 1925.*
proper
In my view, just as it is necessary that the policy of the Straits Settlements and of the Malay States should be the same with regard to questions connected with Indian Immigration and its control, so it is necessary that the direction of policy connected with Chinese immigration and the control of Chinese aliens should be uniform through- out Malaya.
The creation of this post of Secretary for Chinese Affairs, Malaya, will result in Chinese affairs as well as Indian affairs throughout the Peninsula being dealt with on a truly Malayan basis.
7. I recommend that the salary of the Secretary for Chinese Affairs, Malaya, should be $1,350, which is the salary I have already recommended for the posts of Director of Medical and Health Services, Director of Public Works, and Commis- sioner of Customs and Excise. I propose to station the Secretary for Chinese Affairs at Singapore, which is the chief centre of Chinese activities for the whole Peninsula. At the same time when this amalgamation has been made, it will be necessary to con- sider the reclassification within the Malayan Civil Service of the two Senior Protec- torate posts in the Federated Malay States, namely, those of the Protectors of Chinese in Perak and Selangor. Under the proposed reorganization the responsibility of these two Protectors, with no Secretary for Chinese Affairs resident in the Federation, will be greater than before. In an emergency they may be called on to take action and to advise the State Governments without the possibility of prior consultation with the Secretary for Chinese Affairs at Singapore. I, therefore, recommend that both these posts should be graded in Class IB, the present class of the Protector of Chinese in Singapore.
The existing post of Assistant Secretary for Chinese Affairs, Federated Malay States, Class IV, should be abolished; but I recommend that in its place a second post of Assistant Secretary for Chinese Affairs of the same Class IV should be created the holder of which will also be stationed in Singapore.
* 8698/25: not printed.
147
8. Under the reorganization, for which I now ask approval, the staff of the
Chinese Secretariat for Malay would be as follows:----
Secretary for Chinese Affairs Protectors of Chinese
- Singapore, Perak, and Selangor (with Pahang) Protector of Chinese, Penang
Protectors of Chinese, Negri Sembilan, Johore, and
Kedah
Assistant Protector of Chinese, Malacca
Assistant Secretaries for Chinese Affairs-stationed
in Singapore
Assistant Protectors of Chinese
$1,350 per mensem
three in Class IB. Class II.
three in Class III. Class III.
one Class II and
one Class IV.
five in Class IV.
The cost of this establishment will be less than that of the present separate establish- ments by at least $8,520 per annum.
9. There is no need at present to station Protectors of Chinese in Kelantan, Trengganu, Perlis, or Brunei. The Secretary for Chinese Affairs will be able ade- quately to supervise Chinese Affairs in those States either by visiting them himself or by deputing an officer of his department to pay occasional or special visits of inspection.
10. I believe that my proposals, when explained to Their Highnesses the Rulers by the British Residents and British Advisers, will prove acceptable to all the Govern- ments of the Malay States, where the urgency of a uniform policy in the conduct of Chinese affairs, especially as regards the immigration into and control of Chinese- aliens in Malaya, is thoroughly appreciated. But I consider this matter to be so essential to the welfare of this country that, in the event of any Malay State making objection to these proposals, I ask your approval to exercise my right to override their opposition and to give the Rulers advice, which under the Treaties they are obliged to follow.
11. I shall be glad if your decision can be conveyed to me by telegram. Should there be any matter in connexion with this despatch on which you require further information, it could be supplied by Mr. Jordan, who recently acted in the joint post of Secretary for Chinese Affairs, Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States, and who is at present on furlough in England
I have, &c.,
C. 92096/32 [No. 2].
No. 63.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
C. CLEMENTI,
Governor.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR.
(Sent 8.80 p.m., 1st July, 1932.) TELEGRAM.
No. 99. Your despatch Straits Settlements Malay States, Confidential, 14th April. Am reluctant to approve abolition of any more senior Federated Malay States posts until I can reach general decisions as to the number of federal posts that should be retained at Kuala Lumpur. Matter has been discussed with Jordan, and I suggest postponement until after Sir S. Wilson's visit.-CUNLIFFE-Lister.
*No. 62.
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RECORD OFFICE
Reference -
C.O.882/12
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE. LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE AF REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- |
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