Directory_and_Chronicle_1914 — Page 1503

PERLIS

This is the smallest of the Malay States, the area being about 300 square miles. It is situated to the north of Kedah, and its conditions are practically identical with those of Kedah. Mr. Meadows Frost, the first British Adviser, followed the pol cy which marks British control in the Federated States, and the active co-operation of the Raja and his Council has led to a great improvement in the internal administration since the assumption of British suzerainty in 1909.

The population comprises 32,746 persons, of whom 29, 197 are Malays, 1,627 Chinese 1,388 Siamese, and only 5 Europeans (3 British). The revenue in 1912 was $145,026 and the expenditure $144,267, against $131,291 and 8125,354 respectively in 1911. With the transference of suzerainty there was taken over a debt of $474,796 by the F.M.S. In 1912 the debt stood at $495,394, the addition being due to the carrying out of necessary public works.

There is very little to be said of the trade of Perlis. In Alor Star there is one street of shops, whose proprietors besides selling sundry goods also export padi-the staple product of the country-as well as ducks and fowls for the Penang market. The chief imports are cottons for native clothing, kerosene, tobacco and sundry odds and ends used by the Malay country people. In 1910 the State Council abolished the miscellaneous import duty of 3 per cent. on all imported goods not specifically mention- ed, and now the only duties raised are on spirits, beer, wine, tolmcco and kerosene or other oils used for heating or lighting purposes. The miscellaneous export duty of 5 per cent. on all goods not specifically mentioned (such as tin and guano) have also been abolished. In 1912, there were 3,164 piculs of tin ore exported against 1,706 in 1911.

Many of the lime-stone hills of Perlis contain caves rich in guano deposits. A company has been formed by some Dutchmen in Penang, called the Straits Guano Company, to work the deposits, and they have obtained a lease of seven hills. The Government retained the best known hill for the use of local cultivators. The company has made two miles of earth road, which opens up good country, where people are anxious to take up land. The quantity of guano exported in 1912 was 1,394 tons, against 961 in 19:1.

There is only one estate under European management in the country. Of a total area of about 2,000 acres, 258 acres have been planted with rubber, coconuts and coffee. A few native rubber plantations produced 1,733 lbs. of Para rubber in 1912. The main native cultivation is padi.

MEMBERS OF STATE COUNCIL

H. H. Raja Said Alwi, president

Tun-hu Abdullah

Dato Wan Teh

Haji Muhammad Noh

DIRECTORY

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

Adviser-G. M. Laidlaw (actg.)

Commissioner of Lands-Tunku Abdullah Judges-C. M. Muchammad, Haji Mucham-

mad

Commissioner Customs-Che M. Arshat