Directory_and_Chronicle_1925 — Page 1411

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MALACCA-FEDERATED MALAY STATES

STONE, M., Advocate and Solicitor-7,

Heeren Street

STRAITS STEAMSHIP CO., LTD.- 2 and 4, First Cross Street; Teleph. 102; Tel. Ad: Kapal

E. J. M. Eldridge, O.B.E., manager Tan Kim Bong, agent

Chee Lim Cheng, clerk

Tan Cheng Boo, clerk and collector

UNITED ENGINEERS, LTD, Civil, Mech- anical, Electrical, Sanitary and Ship- builders, Steel, Brass and Iron Founders-1 to 6, Riverside; Tel. Ad: Uniteers. Head Office and Works: Singapore. Branches: Ipoh, Penang, Seremban, Taiping, Rangoon

WHITEAWAY, LAIDLAW & Co. LTD. (Incor- porated in England), Drapers, Boot and Shoe Importers, China and Glass Mer- chants-River Side; Teleph. 200; Tel. Ad: Whiteaways

H. M. Summers manager

WILSON, W. D., Chemist-9-11 Riverside;

Teleph. 70

WOMEN'S MISSION HOSPITAL AND DISPEN- SARY AND MATERNITY TRAINING SCHOOL (Church of England)-798, Tranquerah; Teleph. 136

Miss Satchell, secretary

Miss Breen, nursing sister

FEDERATED MALAY STATES

.

The Protected States comprise four Residencies, namely, Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Pahang. These have been federated since July 1st, 1896, and the administration is presided over by a British Officer styled the Chief Secretary to Government, who is subject to the High Commissioner to the Malay States, who is also Governor of the Straits Settlements. Each State has its own Resident and the native rulers retain their titles and dignity. The Federal Offices are at Kuala Lumpur, Selangor. The Federal Council was inaugurated on December 10th, 1909.

The record of these States is one of progress and prosperity. The revenue for 1923. was $63,952,132, and the expenditure $52,825,572. The assets on December 31st, 1923, stood at $35,642,377 (£4,158,277). These States have 1,188 miles of railway in the Malay Peninsula (paid for out of current revenue), yielding good income; they have 2,494 miles of metalled roads, 140 miles of unmetalled roads, 1,794 miles of bridle roads and paths; and the wire mileage of telegraphs and telephones is 17,297 (of which 5,196 miles of wire is in underground cables). Waterworks, wharves, hsopitals, prisons, schools, and many other public buildings have been constructed, while the Govern ment of Perak has carried out an important scheme of irrigation which will benefit about 60,000 acres of land and cost about £200,000. The principal sources of revenue and prosperity are the alluvial tin deposits, which, at the present price of the metal, can be worked at considerable profit, and the plantation rubber industry, the country producing one-third of the world's supply of rubber. Tin has been worked in the Malay States for centuries and the F.M.S. have been for many years now the largest producers of tin ore in the world. The deposits worked are for the most part alluvium but the country also possesses lode deposits.

As the richer and more easily worked deposits are becoming worked out, greater use is being made of machinery and labour-saving devices. Capitalists have already realised the attractive possibilities of these fields and a number of companies have been formed to systematically work these lower grade deposits.

The annual export of tin from these States is valued at over $64,228,654. As a matter of fact, the value of 592,806 piculs exported in 1922 was $47,742,161, against 579,433 piculs valued at $49,957,476 in 1921. The Government has not overlooked the fact that in the export of tin its capital is being reduced, and it has made an effort to supply another and more useful investment by the construction of railways with part, at least, of the revenue, The Federated States have expended over $173,983,371 in the construction or purchase of railways. The profits give a return of 0.29 per cent, on the .capital expended.