Directory_and_Chronicle_1916 — Page 1414

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FEDERATED MALAY STATES-PERAK

ments of the Colony and the Federated Malay States, supported by the planters, by a new system of recruiting and by offering higher wages and other advantages, have succeeded in securing an adequate supply of Indian labour. An agricultural depart- ment to foster agricultural interests, encourage the cultivation of new products, to conduct experiments and to be a general source of information for planters, has been created, and is doing useful work.

It is estimated that there are in the Federated Malay States about 70,000 children of a school-going age, but only about 27,000 of these attend any recognised school, while many live in places far removed from any school-house; it is a fact that education has no great attraction for Malay parents, or Malay children, who might contribute by far the largest number of scholars. The Government offers every reasonable encouragement, and there is even a law in force in Selangor and the Negri Sembilan for compelling the attendance of children who live within reasonable distance of a school, while scholars are allowed to travel free of charge on the railways. The population of the Federated Malay States was ascertained at the census of 1911 to be 1,036,999 (725,062 males, 311,937 females). Of these, 3,284 were Europeans, 2,649 Eura- sians, 420,840 Malays, 433,244 Chinese, and 172,465 Indians. In 1914, there were 51,217 Indian immigrants against 118,583 in 1913. The excess of Chinese emigrants over immigrants was 17,988, whereas in 1913 there was an excess of Chinese immigrants over emigrants of 44,559. The population showed an increase of 358,404 persons in the intercensal period from 1901 to 1911.

The imports into the States in 1914 were valued at $72,140,005 (£8,416,334), while exports amounted to $122,962,929 (£14,345,675). The total of imports and exports com- bined was $195,102,934 (£22,762,009), against a total of $235,078,655 (£27,425,843) in 1913. The decrease in the value of exports is largely accounted for by the fall in the price of tin and the low value of rubber.

PERAK

Perak, the premier State of the Federated Malay States, is on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula, and lies between Kedah on the north and Selangor on the South. The coast-line is about 90 miles in extent; the greatest length of the State, in a north and south direction, is 120 miles, and the breadth, in an east and west direction, 90 miles. It is estimated to contain 6,580 square miles; that is to say, it is about the size of Wales and Monmouth joined together. The soil is suitable for the cultivation of rubber, rice, coconuts, Liberian coffee, spices of all kinds, and grasses from which essential oils are extracted.

The State is well watered by numerous streams and rivers, of which the river Perak is the most important. This river runs nearly south until it turns sharply to the westward and falls into the Straits of Malacca. It is navigable for about 40 miles from its mouth by steamers of 300 to 400 tons burden, and for another 100 miles by cargo boats. The upper part of the river is rocky and abounds in rapids, and conse- quently, except for small boats and rafts, is unnavigable. The Kinta, the Batang Padang and the Plus are the three large tributaries of, the Perak river, and all are navigable by cargo boats. These rivers rise in the main mountain range and flow west and south until they discharge themselves into the Perak river.

The climate of Perak is good, the temperature in the low country averaging from 60° Fahr. in the night to 90° Fahr, in the heat of the day. The average mean is about 70° Fahr. in the night and 87° Fahr. in the day. The nights are uniformly cool. At 3,000 feet the average is 63° Fahr. at night to 73° in the day. The rainfall varies consid- erably, Taiping, the capital, registering as much as 154 inches, but the average else- where is about 90 inches. There is no true rainy season, but the wettest months are October, November and December, and the driest are March, June and July.

The State has been under British Protection since 1874 and has since that date been administered under the advice of the British Resident. The State Council, a deliberative, legislative and advisory body, consists of the Sultan and several Malay Chiefs, the British Resident, the Secretary to Resident, a British unofficial member, and four Chinese members.