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 policy 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 29,497 are Malays, 1,627 Chinese 1,388 Siamese, and only 5 Europeans (3 British). The revenue in 1913 was $154,985 and the expenditure $153,312, against $145,026 and $146,267 respectively in 1912. With the transference of suzerainty there was taken over a debt of $474,796 by the F.M.S. In 1913 the debt stood at $516,838, 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, tobacco 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 1913, there were 142 tons of tin ore exported against 188 tons in 1912. 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 1913 was 786 tons, against 1,304 in 1912.
A few native rubber plantations produced 2,200 lbs. of Para rubber in 1913. The main native cultivation is padi, but 68 tons of copra were exported in 1913.
MEMBERS OF STATE COUNCIL
H. H. Raja Syed Alwi, president H. C. Eckhardt, acting adviser Syed Hamzat
Datoh Wan Teh Haji Mohamed Nor
DIRECTORY
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
Adviser H. C. Eckhardt (acting) Commissioner of Lands-Chi Mahmud Judges-Chi Mahmud, Haji Mohamed
Syed Sheik
Commissioner
Arshad
Customs
Mohamed
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