Directory_and_Chronicle_1913 — Page 1491

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NETHERLANDS-INDIA

Sumatra's Westkust, the Government Colebes en Onderhoorigheden and the residen- cies Amboina, Timor en Onderhoorigheden, Riouw en Onderhoorigheden and Oostkust van Sumatra. In Bantam and the Preanger Regencies, the sale of "regie" opium is, how- ever, 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 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 penalties. The revenue of the opium monopoly was calculated for 1911 at 19,740,692 (net), of which 16,686,722 are from the "régie.' After having given the matter a trial at Soekaboemi (since April 1st, 1901) and at several other places in Java the Government resolved to take in hand the management of the pawnshops, with the intention of protecting the native population from the evils they suffer from the present system of farming out those places. In the course of 1911 the total number of pledges delivered at the 215 existing Government paw71- shops was 19,369.211: the aggregate amount of money borrowed being 23,185,861,20 guilders. At the end of 1910 the number of Government pawnshops was 165, whilst the presumptive future yearly increase will be 40.

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. Of late a beginning has been made with working some of the valleys in regie." Two private companies hold concessions for tin mines, one in Billiton and the other in Singkop ; the first (Billiton) pays a duty for the farming of the mines. The total quantity produced in 1909–10 by the Government mines in Banka was 261.116.97 piculs=16,128,381 kilogrammes, valued at 29,316,257 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, and f.010, bearing Malay and Javanese inscriptions, nickel coins of £.005, and copper coins of for025, (2) cent), forol (one cent), and 4.0:005 (§ 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, £300, £.200, £.100, £.50, f.25, f.10, and £.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, Soerakarta, Djogjokarta, Bandoeng. Padang, Medan, Bengkalis, Tand- jongbalai. Tandjongpoera, Palembang, Pontianak, Bandjermasin, Makasser and Menado. ARMY AND NAVY

The Army of Netherlands-India numbers 1,562 officers, 31,521 non-commissioned officers and woen. It is separate from and independent of the Netherlands Ariny. The Commander in Chief and all the Generals are appointed by the Queen. Besides the Army there are different armed troops, viz.: -

The Legion of the Native Prince Mangkoe Nagară, consisting of infantry and cavalry, numbering about 800 men. In case of war this Legion is at the command of the Government.

4.- The Barisan, being a native infantry of Madoera, 1,377 men, designed to maintain peace in the island and to participate in campaigns in case of war.

(. The "Schuttery" being national guards residing in some of the larger places, designed to maintain peace and to assist in case of insurrection or danger. These guards number about 2,700 men, mostly Europeans, and a few natives. The officers get a commission from the Governor-General.

d. Volunteer-corps.

P.-Police soldiers, numbering 9,000 men.

The Netherlands Navy in these Colonies numbers 220 officers and 1,988 European and 1,177 native non-commissioned officers and sailors, and consists of 27 men-of-war, There is, besides, the Colonial Navy, consisting of 21 smallerships with 183 Europeans and 877 natives, employed for civil servien duties.

PUBLIC WORship and 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 rabbis 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. Chinese religion is as free as all other kinds of public worship.

The Educational Department sustains a great many schools for Europeans and At Batavin, Samarang and Soerabaja are schools for higher education,

natives.

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