Directory_and_Chronicle_1914 — Page 1508

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NETHERLANDS-INDIA

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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 1912 at 23,423,588 guilders (net), of which 22,217,588 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 1912 the total number of pledges delivered at the 254 existing Government pawn- shops was 24,872,917; the aggregate amount of money borrowed being 40,280,930,30 guilders. At the end of 1911 the number of Government pawnshops was 215, whilst the presumptive future yearly increase will be 48.

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 minès, 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 1911/12 by the Government mines in Banka was 250,000 piculs=15,44,000 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 f.005, and copper coins of f.0'025, (24, cent), f,001 (one cent), and £.0'005 (4 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, f.100, f.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, Bandjerinasin, Makasser and Menado.

ARMY AND NAVY

The Army of Netherlands-India numbers 1,563 officers, 32,078 non-commissioned officers and inen. It is separate from and independent of the Netherlands Army. The Commander in Chief and all the Generals are appointed by the Queen. Besides the Army there are different armed troops, viz.:-

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

b.-The Barisan, being a native infantry of Madoera, 1,375 men, designed to maintain peace in the island and to participate in campaigns in case of war.

c.-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 2,600 men, mostly Europeans, and a few natives. The officers get a commission from the Governor-General.

d.--Volunteer-corps.

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

The Netherlands Navy in these Colonies numbers 234 officers and 1,981 European and 1,252 native non-commissioned officers and sailors, and consists of 26 men-of-war. There is, besides, the Colonial Navy, consisting of 28 smaller ships with 174 Europeans and 885 natives, employed for civil service 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.