CO129-515-7 Recruitment of Chinese labour for Sarawak 7-12-1928 - 8-4-1929 — Page 22

copy.

(A_604/537/52).

↑ Rof. 75/20/21.

går.

22

British Vice-Consulate,

FERNANDO POO.

22nd November, 1928.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your

despatch No. a 3434/229/32, and to report as requested on

the subject of the treatment of native labour in Fernando

2oo.

1. Mr. Aeting Vice-Consul's report of the 14th August

1924 errs, in my opinion, on the side of leniency towards the

Authorities at that time. At the time his report was made,

the treatment of the indentured labour left much to be desired,

and a heavy death-rate among the labourers was a partial con-

sequence; sleeping sickuese and other diseases being rife.

This I can personally vouch for, having been stationed here

since April 1934. Since the arrival of the present Governor,

General Kunes de Frado, in January 1926, nury improvements

have been made in the system of rationing and other inciden-

tals to the comfort of the labourers. Among other things

a daily ration of pala oil is new insisted on, this palm oil

having to be imported to a large extent. Plantains, cassava,

etc., abound on Island, and the labourers have no difficùlty

in obtaining this very important item of their nourishment.

For the rest, the usual ration of fish (dried) and rice is

given.

2. The system in general as described by Mr. Statham

has been continued.

*.

Health conditions have improved considerably.

About May 1927 a segregation station was formed for natives

suffering from trypanosomiasis; at first the number of cases

His Majesty's Chief Secretary of State

for Foreign Affairs,

Foreign office,

WB.B

LONDON.