Directory_and_Chronicle_1907 — Page 1410

NETHERLANDS INDIA

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salt that is wanted for the Government monopoly is made in Madoera, where the people are obliged to deliver the salt into the Government godowns at the fixed rate of ten guilders per kojan (1,680 kilogrammes).

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After a trial in Madoera (since September 1st, 1894), Lombok and in four residencies of Java, in 1898 the Government resolved upon taking the management of the opium monopoly into its own hands and to sell the drug on the system of a

" régie the population without the intermediation of farmers. The “régie" has since been in force in Java, Madoera and Lombok, and in the residencies Lämpongsche Districten Benkoelen, Ternate en Onderhoorigheden, Banka en Onderhoorigheden and Palembang and the Government Sumatra's westkust 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 a permit to open certain houses where the opium can be smoked. It is forbidden to keep a stock of opium not derived from the régie” and the monopoly of the Government is strongly protected by penal- ties. The revenue of the opium monopoly was calculated for 1965 at 20,219,628 guilders, of which 15,814,755 are from the “régie,” After having given the matter a trial at Soeka- boemi (since April 1st, 1903) and at several other places of Java the Government resolved to take in hand the management of the pawnhouses, with the intention of protecting the native population from the evils they suffer from the present system of farming out the pawnhouses. Up till now about 38 pawn shops have been taken into the manage- ment of the State; 15 of them were opened in the course of last year.

The tin mines of Bink i are exclusively workeł 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 (kongsi̇'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 1904 by the Government mines in Banka was 9,204,417 kilogrammies, valued at 13,341,000 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.025 of f.010 and £.005 bearing Malay and Javanese inscriptions, and copper coins of f.0*025 (2) cent), foro] (one cent) and for005 († cent). The issue of Bank notes is a monopoly of the Java Bank. These Bank notes are of the value of f.1,000, £.500, £.300, f.200, £.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 1,444 officers, 36,599 non-commissioned officers and men. It is separate from and independent of the Netherlands Army. The Commander 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.

5.-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 211 officers and 1,920 European and 1,128 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 120 Europeans and 5×9 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

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