Directory_and_Chronicle_1919 — Page 1260

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NETHERLANDS-INDIA

In the Government manufacturies of Kalianget and Krampon the greater part of this salt is pressed into briquettes of constant weight and dimensions, which are delivered to those who hold the monopoly in some of the Residencies at fixed prices.

After a trial in Madoera (since September 1st, 1894), Lombok and in four Residencies of Java in 1898, the Government resolved upon taking the management of the opium monopoly into its own hands and to sell the drug on the system of a "régie" to the population without the intermediation of farmers. The "régie" has since been in force in the whole Indian Archipelago, except some parts of the residencies Amboina and Termate en Onderhoorigheden. In Bantam, the Preanger Regencies and Cheribon the sale of "regie" opium is, however, only allowed in some places. In 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 régie was calculated for 1915 at 25,239,472 guilders (net).

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 suffered from the old system of farming out those places.

In the course of 1917 the total number of pledges delivered at the 338 existing Government pawn- shops was 40,451,428; the aggregate amount of money borrowed being f.99,622,686.20 At the end of 1916 the number of Government pawnshops was 318.

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 tín 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 mines, one in Billiton and the other in Singkep; the first (Billiton) pays a duty for the farming of the mines. The total quantity produced in 1916 by the Government mines in Banka was 238,124 piculs net-14,706,538.24 kilogrammes, value 29,041,603 guilders.

The monetary system of Netherlands-India consists of gold coins of the value of ten and five 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.0'05, and copper coins of f.0-025, (2) cent), f.01 (one cent), and f.0′005 (cent). The issue of Bank notes is a monopoly of the Java Bank. These Bank notes are of the value of f.1,000, f.500, f.300, f.200, f.100, f.50, f.25, f.10, and f.5, and payable to bearer on demand.

The head office of the Java Bank is at Batavia, and there are agencies at Cheribon, Semarang, Soerabaja, Soerakarta, Djogjakarta, Bandoeng, Malang, Padang, Medan, Bengkalis, Tand- jongbalai, Tandjongpoeru, Palembang, Pontianak, Bandjermasin, Makasser and Menado.

ARMY AND NAVY

The Army of Netherlands-India numbers 1,409 officers, 40,499 non-commissioned officers and men. 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 Nagară, consisting of infantry numbering about 900 men. In case of war this Legion is at the command of the Government.

b. The Barisan, being native infantry of Madoera, about 1,700 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, danger, or war. These guards number about 4,000 men, mostly Europeans, and a few natives. The officers get their commissions from the Governor-General.

d.-Volunteer-corps.

e. Police soldiers, numbering 9,000 men.

The Netherlands Navy in these Colonies numbers 222 officers and 1,828 European and 1,373 native non-commissioned officers and sailors, and consists of 30 men-of-war. There is, besides, the Colonial Navy, consisting of 27 smaller ships with 202 Europeans and 990 natives, employed for civil service duties.

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