NETHERLANDS-INDIA
1347
1921. During 1921 the total number of pledges delivered at the 371 existing Govern- ment pawnshops was 34,522,743; the aggregate amount of money borrowed being f.142,529,062, with a calculated revenue for 1921 of 2,002,487 guilders.
The tin mines of Banka are exclusively worked by Government; the management of the exploitation, 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, while some of the valleys are worked in "regie." For the most important districts a caloric electric power plant has been erected. Two private com- panies 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 of tin produced in 1921 by the Government mines in Banka was 244,543 piculs net= 15,121,503.68 kilogrammes, value 25,926,316 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 0.10, bearing Malay and Javanese inscriptions; nickel coins of f.005, and copper coins of f.0025 (2) cent), f.0'01 (one cent), and f.0*005 ( cent). Moreover, the Govern- ment issues currency notes of f.2.50, f.1 and f.0.50. The issue of bank-notes is a monopoly of the Java Bank.
ARMY AND NAVY
The Army of Netherlands-India numbers 1.606 officers, 34,504 non-commissioned officers and men--all volunteers; and 10,190 militia. It is separate from and inde- pendent 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 2,029 men. In case of war this Legion is at the command of the Government.
b. The Barisan, being native infantry of Madoera, about 2,403 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 849 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 217 officers and 1,209 European and 1,432 native non-commissioned officers and sailors, and consists of 28 men-of-war. There is, besides, the Colonial Navy, consisting of 23 smaller ships with 203 Europeans and 907 natives, employed for civil service duties.
EDUCATION
The educational system distinguishes two kinds of instruction: (I.) Instruction carried in the Dutch language; (II.) Instruction given in a vernacular. To the first category belong 495 (134 private) elementary schools, amongst which are 194 specially for natives and 47 for Chinese. Furthermore, there are 29 (10 private) intermediate schools and 7 secondary schools, which find their continuation in the Universities and High Schools in Holland and in the only institution for high education in the Dutch East Indies the Technical High School at Bandong. In addition, the following professional schools fall within the same category:-2 schools of medicine, 1 school of laws, 9 schools for native officials, 3 agricultural schools, 1 school of veterinary medicine, 2 commercial schools, 5 technical schools for architecture, mechanical and mining engineering, 1 trade school, i school for post and telegraph officials, 1 course for chemist-assistants and analysts, and 1 military school, while a course for marine officers is held on board of one of the Government steamers. In category 11. there are almost 12,850 (2,128 private) elementary schools with about 933,600 pupils, besides a number of trade schools and agricultural schools and a marine-school for the Navy and Govern- ment marine at Makassar. Five public training schools and 6 courses for higher qualifications supply teachers for the elementary schools, and a number of the intermediate schools mentioned sub I. Furthermore, there are 11 public and 2 private training schools for native and one for Chinese teachers, with instruction given in the Dutch language, and 42 (21 private) normal schools and 123 courses for
for training teachers for the vernacular schools.
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