CO129-400 - Governor Sir May - 1913 [3-4] — Page 321

314

30481/1 jms.

extremely difficult if not impossible to provide a supply of

labour both to the Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay

States as well as to other places that may be concerned the only

alternative to complete cessation being to engage for shortening

periods up to the date referred to, a system which would obviously

be impracticable.

As the present system, whatever its disabiliti-

-es, is better than none at all and ought not to be discontinued

until a better one has been carefully considered and substituted

therefor, I have the honour to urge for your favourable consideram

-tion that the interpretation of your instructions based on your

Despatch of the 28th. September above should be taken to be the

correct one and that labourers may up to the 30th. June, 1914, continue to be engaged for the 300 days period.

I may state that I am at present engaged in

conferring with the Government of the Straits Settlements on the

matter of the institution of a new system in accordance with the

terms of your instructions.

5 I have also to point out that in your Des- -patches on this subject it is only the matter of emigration to

the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States that is

specifically mentioned and I am in some doubt as to whether you intend the instructions to apply to emigration to other places such as Billiton, Banca and British North Borneo.

I should therefore be glad to receive by tele-

-gram as early as convenient your pronouncement on this matter as well as on the question of the date at which 300 days engagements

must cease to be entered into.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

Amaz

Governor,&c..