Directory_and_Chronicle_1941 — Page 1420

C322

EAST COAST OF SUMATRA

The East Coast of Sumatra has an area of 36,101 square miles and a popu- lation, according to the 1930 census, of 1,693,200, which includes 11,079 Euro- peans, 192,822 Chinese, 18,904 other foreign orientals (mostly British Indian) and 1,470,395 natives; Atjeh and Dependencies an area of 21,448 square miles and a population of 1,002,000.

The European taxable population is estimated at 25 per cent. less than in 1930, and the labour force on estates at 211,146 coolies, whereas it was formerly as high as 320,000. The retrograde movement however has ceased and more coolies are being brought from Java than are being sent back. It is of interest to record that the gradual abolition of the penal clauses in the agreements of indentured labourers has worked smoothly, and free labourers now amount to more than 99 per cent. of the total force. Consequent upon the invasion of Holl- and by Germany on May 10, 1940, the recruitment of administrative personnel for the estates from the mother country and enemy occupied territories has become impossible.

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 appro- val 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 Government officials, is largely 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 province 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 suited for the outside wrappers. of cigars, being at once light in weight and elastic and strong in texture. Next to tobacco, the cultivation of rubber (Hevea Brasiliensis) was developed though it has been considerably restricted in recent years. There are also important plantations of tea, palm-oil and hemp.

Very important, also, is the export of fish from Bagan Si Api Api-to Singapore and Java. There is also a considerable export of timber from the islands near Bengkalis to Singapore. The production of paddy is considerable and along with imports from Java is sufficient to meet the local demand. The import of foreign rice is largely prohibited. An important oil industry exists in life north of the district of Pangkalan Brandan. The production is in the hands of the Bataafsche Petroleum Maatschappij. Almost all necessaries of the other than simple foodstuffs have to be imported, and a brisk trade between Java, the Straits Settlements, Europe and the East Coast is the consequence.

Medan (Deli), the Capital of Sumatra, and the residence of the principal civil and military officials, is a pleasant little town, laid out in modernstyle, and administered by a Municipality. It is well provided with schools and hospitals. In the town five European banking corporations-the Java Bank, the Chartered. Bank of India, Australia & China, the Nederlandsche Handel Maatschappij, the Nederlandsch-Indische Handelsbank, the Nederlandsch- Indisch Escompto Maatschappij-have their branches, and there are also two Chinese banks. There are two hotels (Hotel de Boer and Grand Hotel), a Social Club (Witte Societeit), Deli Yacht Club, Racing, Golf and Tennis clubs; also numerous houses of business, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Malay, Bombay and Tamil shops, etc. Medan is a regular port of call on the K.L.M. air route Amsterdam-Batavia. (Now Palestine-Batavia.)

The port of Belawan Deli, at the mouth of the Belawan River, is in com- munication with Medan by road and railway, the lines of which extend a long distance up country, giving also communication via Tandjoeng Poera and Pangkalan Brandan with Koeta Radja (Atcheen) and to the south via Tebing Tinggi, with Tandjong Balei (Asahan), Koeta Penang and, via Pematang Siantar, to the west with Sibolga, Fort de Kock, Padang, Korintji. Improve-