Directory_and_Chronicle_1918 — Page 1401

MAKASSER-THE EAST COAST OF SUMATRA

BANDA (MOLUKKEN)

Bandasche Perkeniers-en-Handels

ver-

eeniging

Crediet & Handels vereeniging "Banda

,,

Lützow & Co.

J. A. Sauerbier

TERNATE

STEAMSHIP COMPANIES

Koninklijke Paketvaart Maatschappij

Agency

1321

N. V. Winkel My. v/h. R. Brings Ned. Ind. Escompto Maatschappij Nederl. Nieuw Guinea Handel-

Maatschappij

THE EAST COAST OF SUMATRA

This part of the East-Coast of the Island of Sumatra is situated between the Government of Acheen and its Dependencies in the North, the Straits of Malacca in the East, Indragiri (a part of the Residency of Riouw and its Dependencies) in the South, and the Residency of Sumatra's West Coast and of Tapanoeli in the West. It includes a great number of States, each of which under control of the Governor is ruled by a native Prince or Chief, who, according to his rank and dependency, is styled Sultan, Yang di Pertuan, Kedjuruan, Radjah, Datu, etc. The country is administered by a Governor, 6 Assistant-Residents, 14 Controleurs (incl. Gezaghebbers) and 3 Assistant-Controleurs. Justice is dispensed by the Court of Justice at Medan, the Landraad of Medan and Bindjei, Tandjung Balei, Tebing Tinggi and Bengkalis, the residen- tiegerechten of Bindjei, Tandjoeng Balei and Bengkalis, the Magistrates, and by native Courts or Karapattan. The staple industry of the country is agriculture, and this being dependent upon imported labour (Chinese and Javanese), the labour question is carefully guarded by a special Coolie Ordinance. All coolies are indentured under advances. The employer must house his people properly, provide them with medical attendance and food when sick, and monthly payments are compulsory. Six special officials (1 Inspector and 5 adj. Inspectors of Labour) look after this.

of

Land is leased from the ruling prince or chief of the district for a certain number years, so much per bahu or per acre being paid down, and a minimum f.1 per baliu or per acre per annum being paid as annual quittance.

The supremacy of the Dutch Government is based upon political treaties with each of the Princes, in whose hands is left the jurisdiction over their own subjects except so far as relates to the infliction of the death penalty and banishment, and the disposal of land or landed property. Land contracts with Europeans, while made between the ruling prince and the concessionaire, are subject to the approval of the Governor. Mining contracts require the approval of the Governor-General of the Netherland-Indies. In all the States the Dutch Government has bought the right to collect the customs duties and the ordinary revenues. Land revenue, collected by Governinent officials, is at the disposal of the native rulers and his chiefs. The best known of the States is Deli, where tobacco planting was first introduced, and by which

name the whole of the East Coast is sometimes designated. Deli, Langkat, Serdang and other tobacco-growing districts, are celebrated throughout the world for their fine silky tobacco leaf, which is specially fitted for the outside wrappers of cigars, being at once light in weight and elastic and strong in texture. The leading tobacco company is the Deli Maatschappij, which for 26 years has paid a dividend averaging 75 per cent. per annum. Next to tobacco, with a planted area of 172,000 acres, the cultivation of rubber (Hevea Brasiliensis) has developed to such an extent in the last five years that now (1st January, 1917) there is a planted area of fully 260,000 acres, more than 80,000 acres of which are in tapping. The export for 1916 amounted to fully 15,265 tons against nearly 3,400 tons in 1913. The estimate for 1917 is 19,000 tons. The capital invested in rubber estates now amounts to more than £12,000,000. The territory in which rubber grows stretches from Langkat in the north to Asahan and Siak in the south. The cultivation of tea has also developed in the last few years until it has now a planted area of more than 12,284 acres, more than 6,000 acres of which are already in production.