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NETHERLANDS INDIA
the population without the intermediation of farmers. The “régie" has since been in force in Java, Madoera and Lombok, and in the residency Lampongasche Districten of the island Sumatra. In Bantam and the Preanger-Regencies, the sale of regie" opium is however only allowed in some places. In regions where the “régie” is introduced the sale of opium otherwise than by "régie" is prohibited. The Resident grants to certain persons à permit to open certain houses where the opium can be smoked. It is forbidden to keep a stock of opium not derived from the "rézie" and the mono- poly of the Government is strongly protected by penalties. The revenue of the opium monopoly was calculated for 1903 at 18,141,000 guilders, of which 12,251,000 are from the "régie."
The tin mines of Banka are exclusively worked by Government; the management of the exploration, the melting of the ore, and the transport of the tin to the godowns being in the hands of Chinese mining corporations (kongsi's) or of private contractors and their labourers. Two private companies hold concessions for tin mines, one in Billiton and the other in Singkep; the first (Billiton), pays a duty for the farming of the mines. The total quantity produced in 1903 by the Government mines in Banka was 11,453,576 kilogrammes, valued at 17,359,651 guilders.
The monetary system of Netherlands India consists of gold coins of the value of ten guilders, silver coins of two guilders and a half, of one guilder, and of half a guilder (these coins are the same as those in the Netherlands); besides silver coins of f.0′25 of f 0.10 and f.0'05 bearing Malay and Javanese inscriptions, and copper coins of f.0025 (2) cent), f.001 (one cent) and f.0005 (3 cent). The issue of Bank notes is a monopoly of the Java Bank. These Bank notes are of the value of f.1,000, f.500, f.300, f.200, f.100, f.50, f.25, f.10, and f.5, and payable to bearer on demand. The head office of the Java Bank is at Batavia, and there are agencies at Cheribon, Samarang, Soerabaia, Soera- karta, Djogjokarta, Padang, and Macasser.
ARMY AND NAVY
The Army of Netherlands India numbers 1,322 officers, 33,131 non-commissioned officers and men. It is separate from and independent of the Netherlands Army. The Commandant is appointed by the Queen. Besides the Army there are different armed troops, viz.:-
a.-The "Schuttery," being guards residing in some of the larger places designed to co-operate with the Army in maintaining the peace. These guards number about 3,000 men, mostly Europeans, and a few natives and foreign Orientals. The officers get a commission from the Governor-General.
b. The Legion of the Native Prince Mangkoe Negoro, consisting of infantry and cavalry, numbering about 800 men.
c.-Barisan, being native infantry of Madoera, 1,400 men, designed to maintain the peace in the island. In case of war in other islands they also participate in the campaigns.
d. Dragoon Guards of the Soesoehoenan of Soerakarta and the Sultan of Djog- jokarta.
e. Police soldiers.
The Netherlands Navy in these Colonies numbers 250 officers and 2,220 European and 1,099 native non-commissioned officers and sailors, and consists of 28 men-of-war. There is, besides, the Colonial Navy, consisting of 22 smaller ships with 119 Europeans and 568 natives, employed for civil service duties.
PUBLIC WORSHIP, EDUCATION
The Protestant clergymen are appointed by the Queen; they are 41 in number. The Roman Catholic priests are appointed by the Pope and recognized by or in the name of the Queen. The Jews have no priests and are so few that in no place have they a synagogue. The Government does not interfere with Mahommedan worship, but pilgrims to Mecca require to take out passports and are obliged to prove that they have sufficient money to pay for the voyage and to support their families during their absence. Chinese religion is as free as all other kinds of public worship.
The Educational Department sustains a great many schools for Europeans and natives. At Batavia, Samarang, and Soerabaja are schools for higher education; Batavia and Soerabaja have also a school for mechanical engineers, etc. There are, further, 138 Government schools and 30 private schools in Java and 40 Govern- ment schools and one private school in the other islands, having on the 31st December, 1903, 21,403 pupils, among whom were 3,128 native children. Five colleges are devoted to the instruction of native schoolmasters, while 640 Government vernacular
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