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For the descendents of Richard Dearie and his son John Russell

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Boh Tea Advertising during 1947

Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 [Advertisements] • The Straits Times, 5 January 1947, Page 6
, The Straits Times, 12 January 1947, Page 6
 , The Straits Times, 19 January 1947, Page 6
 The Straits Times, 26 January 1947, Page 6
, The Straits Times, 2 February 1947, Page 6
 , The Straits Times, 9 February 1947, Page 6
 Look for the Seal. INCREASED SUPPLIES available shortly BOH PLANTATIONS LTD

Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 [Advertisements] The Straits Times, 21 January 1947, Page 8
 , The Straits Times, 25 February 1947, Page 12
 , The Straits Times, 18 March 1947, Page 12
, The Straits Times, 24 May 1947, Page 5
 LOOK FOR THIS SEAL ON EVERY PACKET. POST-WAR PRODUCTION. ONLY PACKETS BEARING THIS SEAL CAN BE GUARANTEED BY BOH PLANTATIONS LTD. BOH TEA THE QUALITY TEA Producers BOH PLANTATIONS LIMITED Distributors HARPER GILFILLAN & CO., LTD. Kuala Lumpur and Branches through out Malaya.

• Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 [Advertisements] The Straits Times, 16 February 1947, Page 6
, The Straits Times, 2 March 1947, Page 6, The Straits Times, 9 March 1947, Page 6 The Straits Times, 16 March 1947, Page 6
, The Straits Times, 30 March 1947, Page 6
, The Straits Times, 27 April 1947, Page 6
 Each month will bring increased supplies. Producers Boh Plantations Ltd. Distributors Harper Gilfillan Co., Ltd. Kuala Lumpur Branches throughout Malaya.

Page 9 Advertisements Column 2 [Advertisements] 
 • The Straits Times, 23 September 1947, Page 9
, The Straits Times, 30 September 1947, Page 8
, The Straits Times, 28 October 1947, Page 8
, The Straits Times, 4 November 1947, Page 4
, The Straits Times, 18 November 1947, Page 4
, The Straits Times, 2 December 1947, Page 9 BOH TEA is 100% MALAYAN Produce WHY BUY IMPORTED TEA? MALAYA Needs Your Custom! Price $2/- per lb HOME DELIVERY for 2lbs $5.00 Producers BOH PLANTATIONS LIMITED Distributors HARPER GILFILLAN & CO., LTD. Kuala Lumpur and Branches throughout Malaya.

The Straits Times, 7 October 1947, Page 9, • The Straits Times, 21 October 1947, Page 9, The Straits Times, 11 November 1947, Page 9
, The Straits Times, 25 November 1947, Page 5
 & The Straits Times, 9 December 1947, Page 2
. BOH TEA Important Announcement •ALL "BOH TEA" is now packed in “Silver Foil”, to ensure its reaching the consumer in FACTORY FRESH Condition, Please refuse to accept any other form of packing. BOH PLANTATIONS LTD. CAMERON HIGHLANDS & KULA LUMPUR

News

Miners Demonstrate In Kuala Lumpur The Straits Times, 11 January 1947, Page 6 LABOUR OFFICERS ACT AS MEDIATORS From Our Own Correspondent, KUALA LUMPUR, Friday. ABOUT 150 Chinese, part of the 300 men retrenched by the Malayan Collieries, Batu Arang, came to Kuala Lumpur yesterday and put their alleged disagreement with the Collieries before Mr. Carey, the Deputy Commissioner of Labour. Accompanied by women and children and waving flags and shouting slogans they marched in a procession to the Labour Office. An interview between representatives of the labourers and officials of the Malayan Collieries took place at 3 p.m. at which the Deputy Commissioner of Labour, and the Assistant Commissioner of Labour, Mr. O. W. Walters acted as mediators. It is learned that the delay in paying the labourers was due to the difficulty in arriving at the amount per head as the check-rolls, kept by a clerk who had since left the company’s services, had been either lost or destroyed. Crowd Walks In It was, however, mutually agreed after consultation with Batu Arang by telephone that workers should receive an average of $3 per head, while certain others would be entitled to get $4 and $2 respectively. Although the question of pay was settled the workers’ representatives were not inclined to leave the premises. Part of (the) crowd waiting outside walked into the office boldly and demanded compensation for the 40 days that they had been out of work in Batu Arang. Negotiations seemed to have reached a deadlock when pressure was brought to bear on the demonstrators by officials from the Chinese Consulate. Some labourers continued to show their dissatisfaction by declaring that they would not receive their pay unless compensation also was included. They were informed that they were free to resort to litigation if they were not satisfied with the decision. The labourers, after being fed at the People’s Restaurant, were sent back in trucks to Batu Arang about 6 p.m.

The Straits Times, 16 January 1947, Page 2 MALAYAN COLLIERIES LIMITED Lost Share Certificates Application having been made to the Directors of the Company to issue to the following shareholders duplicate certificates to replace original certificates stated to have been lost or destroyed. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT IF WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM THE DATE HEREOF NO CLAIM OR REPRESENTATION IS MADE TO THE Directors they will proceed with these applications for duplicate certificates and the lost certificates will be regarded as having been cancelled, viz: Name of Shareholder No. of No. of Distinctive Nos. Cert Shares 1. L.W. Geddes 2808 1,000 1965311-1956310 2. C.P. Ambler 2850 1,000 835551-836550 3. Procureur in Singapore 399 5,000 919791-954790 of La Societe des Missions 711/2 2,000 1001791-1003780 4. John Duke 1363/71 2,000 1778421-1780420 2953 500 2119351-2120350 5. Mrs. S.J. Hewetson 2183 1,000 1666821-1667320 6. Malayan Investments Trust Ltd. 2725/6 2,000 1399151-1401150 7. Mrs. E.S. Barr 434/437 4,500 632521-637020 8. Chee Guan Chiang 500 3055281-3055780 9. J.K. Swaine (400 of 3899 50 206891-206850 $10 shares 3900 50 203201-203250 4430 100 305495-305595 ……. 4447 100 306098-306195 8631 100 250356-260465 Kuala Lumpur By Order of the Board 14th January, 1947 J. A. RUSSELL & CO.LTD., Secretaries

The Straits Times, 19 January 1947, Page 1 COUNCIL APPEAL FOR COAL IMPORTS Industries Hit By Shortage Sunday Times Staff Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Sat. THREE speakers at the meeting of the Malayan Union Advisory Council here today stressed the seriousness of the coal position in Malaya which had resulted from the considerable reduction in the output of Malayan Collieries and they urged the Government to purchase foreign coal in order to safeguard the continuation of public services and industries. The Governor, Sir Edward Gent, replying, said that Lord Killearn’s office had succeeded in purchasing 8,000 tons of coal which would be delivered shortly, but it was earnestly hoped that the situation in the collieries might be energetically tackled and mastered. Mr. H. S. Lee said that in pre-war days the collieries had produced an average of more than 60,000 tons a month, but that due to neglect and inefficient management during the Japanese occupation, mines were in a very bad state on liberation. The Army took over and managed to produce as much as 26,000 tons per month in May and June, 1946, and they handed over to the Collieries in July, since which date production had gradually decreased until it reached 14,300 tons in December. The requirements of coal-users at present were approximately 35,000 tons monthly, with railways requiring 17,000 tons. Due to disparity between supply and demand, rationing had to be enforced, following which the railways had to curtail their services and the Electrical Department had to cut down the hours of operation of industrial and mining plants. Since Nov. 9 no coal had been sent to coal burning dredges. Other Fuel Plans There were at present 17 dredges using coal, but since Nov. 9 a number were now trying to devise ways and means to change their plant to burn firewood or diesel oil. However, this would require the installation of additional plant and would take a long time before the change could be completed, even if it were practicable. With the exception of one dredge which was experimenting with firewood, all the others—16 of them—were now lying idle but companies had to maintain their labour forces and other necessary staff. Five electrically-driven dredges in Selangor had been allowed by the Electrical Department to operate for about 10 days in the whole of last month. Sixteen open-cast or gravel pump mines in Kuala Lumpur using power had been informed that from Dec. 11 they would be given power to run their plants for six out of 24 hours because of the acute coal shortage. “Fortunately,” said Mr. Lee “the notice was withdrawn at the last moment, otherwise the consequences might have been extremely serious involving possibly the dismissal of thousands of Chinese labourers before the Chinese New Year.” Continuing, Mr. Lee said that these mines had, however, received notice on Jan. 13. that from Feb. 1 they must restrict their use of electricity to about 12 hours out of every 24. The consequence would be that these mines would have to shut down completely because they could not “make ends meet” by operating only 12 hours a day. Mr. Lee added that the estimated revenue in tin export duty to the Government was about $200,000 a dredge and $25,000 a gravel pump mine in a year. So the total amount involved in loss of revenue to the Government due to lack of coal must be considerable. “The amount of losses suffered directly and indirectly by private concerns and individuals due to the enforced stoppage of dredges and the curtailed working hours of mines, as well as restricted working hours in other industries, must run into hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said Mr. Lee. He continued:”Whether or not the Collieries have made serious and efficient efforts to improve their production is not within my knowledge to say, but three months seems to be a long time if the flooded mine has not yet been restored to the producing stage again. In my opinion it would be most imprudent to rely solely on the coal mine to supply our requirements.” Mr. lee referred to a letter from the Chamber of Mines to the Government on Nov. 13 in which the Chamber had urged drastic and decisive action to be taken by the Government to provide for the immediate equipment and development necessary to enable the Collieries to produce sufficient coal to meet requirements, and also urging immediate investigation to ascertain why the rehabilitation of the collieries had not kept pace with the rehabilitation of industry generally, and to initiate constructive steps to improve the present situation. Mr. Lee said that the contingency should not be overlooked of another flooding of the mine and another strike among labourers at the mine. He urged the Government to take immediate steps to obtain foreign coal to accumulate in the country at least three months’ stock. “It may be a large sum of money, but if essential services such as the railway and the Electrical Department should fail to function properly due to the shortage of coal, the whole economy and welfare of the country would be seriously jeopardised,” he said. Mr. S. B. Palmer, supporting Mr. Lee, asked for an assurance that the Government was satisfied that all possible steps were being taken by the Collieries to remedy the situation and that the shortage was only likely to be of a temporary nature. If the Government were not in a position to give such an assurance, an investigation as suggested by Mr. Lee would be welcomed by consuming interests so that they knew where they stood for the future. Mr. W. G. C. Blunn also spoke on the seriousness of the situation and supported previous speakers. Replying, Sir Edward Gent agreed that it was most disappointing that in present conditions Malayan coal production had dropped very substantially owing to mechanical breakdowns and flooding. Machinery and equipment at present in the Collieries was mostly pre-war, he pointed out, and had been roughly used during the war. Financial assistance had been given to the Collieries by the Government to aid the company in purchasing new machinery and equipment but unfortunately it would be several months before this machinery could be installed, although an order had been given for priority in England. He earnestly hoped that an early amelioration of conditions in the mine would enable output to pick up. To meet short term deficiencies urgent attention had been paid by the Government to ways in which the consumption of coal could be economised and other fuels substituted. With this object in view, five boilers at Bungsar Power Station were being converted to oil-burning with an expected saving of 3,000 tons a month from April and 5,500 tons a month from June. Railways, by using wood, and diesel shunters, were saving 1,500 tons a month. Other contributions were being made by tin and other industries, but there still remained a deficiency in the needs of essential consumers in industries in Malaya. With the aid of the Special Commissioner, an urgent request was made to secure imports of coal and it was hoped that a consignment of 8,000 tons would arrive in the next few weeks. Its cost was a serious new burden on Government undertakings and for that reason too it was earnestly to be hoped that the situation in the Collieries might be energetically tackled and mastered

The Straits Times, 21 January 1947, Page 1 Collieries Issue Statement From Our Staff Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Monday. Malayan Collieries Ltd. have issued a statement referring to comments made by Mr. H. S. Lee at the Malayan Union Advisory Council meeting on Saturday. The statement reads: “While Mr. Lee’s reference to the position at the Collieries and to the effect of the coal shortage on the tin-mining industry is in general a fair exposition of the present state of affairs, the Board of the Company would like to make the following statement to correct any wrong impression that may have been given. “The affairs of the mine were in the hands of ……….. Military Administration until Apr. 1. 1946, when they were taken over by the Union Government until July 1, when the Company resumed financial control. “Under both administrations the Company’s officials worked in an advisory capacity and directed operations as they have continued to do since. Maximum Production “Thus, output from the mine up to July 1, quoted by Mr. Lee, was due to directions of the Company’s officials. “With regard to the matter of whether the Company had made serious efforts to improve the production position following damage by flooding, the Board has been assured by the Managing Director that everything possible has been done to obtain maximum production and that much has to be done under difficult and trying circumstances. “At the present moment the mine is at a standstill as the result of a general strike, and intimidation is very much in evidence. Representatives of workers have refused to negotiate and their demand is on that relates to the release from civil custody of a worker held by the police on a charge of an offence against the law,”

The Straits Times, 21 January 1947, Page 1 RATIONING OF ELECTRICITY THREATENED From Our Staff Correspondent, KUALA LUMPUR, Monday. KUALA LUMPUR and the whole state of Selangor, as well as Seremban, are threatened with rationing of electricity if the strikes at Batu Arang Collieries, which employs 3,500 workers, continue over the Chinese New Year. The Electricity Department is now working out details of regulating the use of current by householders and businesses, and these will come into force immediately after the Chinese festivities if settlement of the trouble at the Collieries is not achieved. As it is the Electricity Department has already instituted an immediate cut in the use of power by industries, which are restricted to two-thirds of their listed consumption. This, according to a leading Chinese tin-miner, will affect at least 16 Chinese gravel pump mines which may have to close down after the New Year if full power is not restored. More Cuts Possible This latest development in the major fuel crisis has also caused the Malayan Railways to review their services. For the moment they are adhering to their intention to restore the Wednesday night mail and passenger services between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore as from this week. However, with the coal position as it is, there are likely to be further drastic cuts if the strike continues after the New Year. The situation at Batu Arang is described as serious. It is reported that intimidation has become prevalent and involves Chinese houseboys attached to houses of members of the European staff. The talks that took place between the representatives of the strikers and the Department of the Controller of Labour, Selangor, were described as exploratory and the viewpoint of the strikers will be conveyed to the manager of the Collieries tomorrow, following which it is hoped that negotiations will continue. Twelve Demands The 12 demands made by the Colliery Workers’ Union are: That the Company will withdraw the system of 24 hours’ notice on either side and substitute one months’ notice, pay war bonus as paid by the Government to its labourers, be responsible for lighting and water in the labourers’ quarters, and carry out repairs, provide medical attention and pay wages during sickness, pay immediately eight days’ wages due to labourers for 1941, compensate for losses incurred to 300 labourers who were paid off last November, pay an allowance for changkols, buckets and other equipment used by labourers, release immediately without condition a representative now in police custody, alter the site of the Union’s premises, guarantee that wages will not be reduced in future and that labourers will not be paid off without adequate reason, show interest in the education of the young at Batu Arang and pay extra for work on Sundays and holidays.

The Straits Times, 22 January 1947, Page 1 Settlement Move at Batu Arang From Our Staff Correspondent KUAKA LUMPUR, Tuesday. The Malayan Union Government has taken action in the Malayan Collieries strike at Batu Arang under the Industrial Courts Enactment and has offered arbitration to settle the dispute between the Company and the workers. Letters from the Chief Secretary, Malayan Union, were sent to the Collieries management and to the workmen’s trade union today inquiring if they would accept arbitration. The letter to the workers states that if arbitration is accepted it is on the understanding that the men will have to resume work immediately before arbitration takes place. Negotiations between the Company and the men broke down this morning and the matter was referred to higher authority. It is believed that the Government has asked for a reply within 24 hours.

The Straits Times, 26 January 1947, Page 3 “Ultimatum” Sent By Coal Strikers Sunday Times Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Sat. A NEW “ultimatum” has been delivered to the management of the Malayan Collieries by Batu Arang strikers calling for the acceptance of their demands within 48 hours, after which the management “shall be held responsible for the loss incurred by the workers as a result of the strike.” Intimidation of the servants of European mine personnel is reported and these servants have now left the mine through fear. One European bungalow is reported to have been burgled in broad daylight. Every cupboard and drawer was ransacked and the contents left all over the floors. Malayan Collieries are now awaiting the implementation of Government measures to ensure production of the minimum amount of coal required for the use of the Malayan Railways and the Electrical Department. It is expected that Japanese surrendered personnel will be taken to the mine within 48 hours.

The Straits Times, 27 January 1947, Page 1 GOVT. ACTION IN COAL DISPUTE From Our Staff Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Sunday. THE Malayan Union Government has decided to make essential regulations for the carrying on of production of coal at the Malayan Collieries at Batu Arang. The decision has been made because of the rejection by the Colliery Workers Trade Union of the Government’s offer of arbitration and the urgent need in the public interest that coal production be resumed. Under the essential regulations the Chief Inspector of Mines has been appointed the competent authority for the purpose of resuming production. The labour required will be provided from the unit of Japanese surrendered personnel at present allocated for short-term food production together with certain Japanese surrendered personnel technicians at present employed in the railway. The amount of coal which can be produced by these means will only be sufficient to maintain essential railway and electrical services on a reduced scale. It is hoped to obtain further imports of coal from outside Malaya but in view of the general world coal position these imports will not be sufficient to make up the amount normally required by the Railways and Electrical Department. “Every endeavour will continue to be made to resolve the dispute between the management and the workers at the Malayan Collieries in order to effect fair settlement on a permanent basis as quickly as possible,” says an official communiqué today.

The Straits Times, 30 January 1947, Page 5 ‘Everything done To Inflame These People’ JUDGE ON INCIDENT AT BATU ARANG From Our Own Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Wednesday. The District Judge, Mr. M. Neal, after convicting a Chinese, Choo Yoon, an employee of the Malayan Collieries at Batu Arang, at Rawang Police Court this morning, of using criminal force against a Police sergeant in the execution of his duty released him to come up for sentence if called upon any time within the period of the next 12 months. This decision was made after the Judge had taken into consideration certain factors which he described as “insufficient notice” to quit, threats which were made in a letter and “everything being done to inflame these poor people” and evidence of “tempers being inflamed.” Choo Yoon’s arrest by the police was the subject of one of the main demands by the Malayan Collieries Labour Union for settlement of the labour dispute at Batu Arang. When the district judge resumed hearing this morning he said he had gone into the question of the Rent and Charged Land Restriction Ordinance and found that Batu Arang was not included in the scheduled area covered by the ordinance. Miner’s Evidence Choo Yoon said in evidence that he had been formerly employed by the Collieries as a coal miner. He had been employed for the past two months. Referring to the incident in connection with the subject matter of the charge, he said he discovered a lot of chairs outside the premises. When he tried to remove one to sit on he was grabbed by a Police sergeant and another Malay constable. Choo Yoon called two witnesses to support his statement. The District Judge said that he was satisfied on the evidence, Choo Yoon did strike the Police sergeant. A person convicted under this section should be punished with imprisonment. However, there were in this case a number of factors which, in his opinion, were a contributing factor towards the commission of the offence. Threatening Letter The first factor he took into account was insufficient notice. The attempted ejectment on the notice served by the court was a factor which in his opinion would “inflame those uneducated people” more especially in the light of the then existing situation at Batu Arang. The second factor were the threats which were made in a certain exhibit before the court. “I do not propose to refer to this at length. In my opinion it was a most unfortunate letter,” said Mr. Neal. The third factor, he said, was the legal position of the rent and Charged Land Restriction Ordinance. Ignorance of the law was no excuse but there had been some difficulty in deciding whether Batu Arang came within the enactment and that aspect had to be taken into consideration in assessing the penalty. Another factor was that in this matter everything was done to inflame “these poor people.” I do not propose to go further into this matter. The evidence before me is that “tempers had been inflamed.”

The Straits Times, 31 January 1947, Page 1 Jap Miners' Output Disappoints From Our Own Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Thursday. COAL production by Japanese surrendered personnel at the Malayan Collieries, Batu Arang, has fallen so far below expectations that a drastic reduction in electricity output is envisaged. About 200 Japs were put to work for the first time yesterday at the colliery, where coalminers are on strike, but they managed to produce only 40 to 50 tons of an expected output of 500. More Men Five hundred tons is the minimum amount required to maintain essential services at the present reduced scale. It is hoped to put in additional Japanese labour within the next few days to step up operations. The Chief Inspector of Mines, Mr. A. Bean, and the Commissioner of Labour, Mr. J. Jeff, have had a conference with the Governor of the Malayan Union, Sir Edward Gent, following re-opening of negotiations aimed at bringing about settlement of the strike. Mr. Jeff visited the mine yesterday and had a long and friendly discussion with officers of the Labour Union. It is officially stated that the “door is still open.”

The Straits Times, 2 February 1947, Page 3 MORE JAPS FOR BATU ARANG Sunday Times Staff Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Sat. More Japanese surrendered personnel are being sent to Batu Arang next week to reinforce those already working in the mines in an effort to increase coal production. Meanwhile, an official statement issued yesterday reviews the course of discussions between the Government and the Malayan Collieries Workers Union in an effort to resume negotiations for arbitration in the strike of mine workers.

The Straits Times, 7 February 1947, Page 3 ARBITRATOR JUDGE ACCEPTED BY COAL WORKERS NEW POINTS RAISED IN REPLY From Our Staff Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Thursday. The Malayan Collieries Workers Trade Union has raised another snag in its reply to Sir Edward Gent’s offer of the appointment of a Judge as Chairman of the Arbitration Board to settle the dispute between the workers and the management. In a reply which was received at King’s House this morning, they accepted the offer of a judge, provided the Board is extended to include two members of the public to whom the workers themselves have no objection and providing that the decision of the Board is not binding on the workers. Sir Edward Gent had consultations this afternoon with Mr. J. Brazier, Trade Union Adviser and Mr. John Jeff, the Controller of Labour, Malayan Union. The Union’s points are being considered, state officials. In offering a judge as Chairman of the Board, the Governor’s private secretary said, “It would best serve the purpose of achieving an agreed solution of difficulties if the Chairman of the Board of representatives of the union and management were an experienced and impartial person such as a judge well-versed in assessment of facts and circumstances and in the search for a just conclusion.” The letter added that Sir Edward trusted “your members will reconsider their present feeling in this matter and will appreciate the practical advantage of the Board being so constituted.” This was Sir Edward’s reply to the Union’s acceptance of arbitration provided the Board had joint chairman and Japanese personnel were withdrawn before the Board sat. Jap Labour Referring to Japanese personnel, the letter said: “The good faith of the Government in its desire to see goodwill and agreement restored at Batu Arang does not need to be guaranteed at the expense of essential services to the public in general, but I am to assure you that the moment work is ready to be resumed by the normal operatives, the Japanese surrendered personnel will be brought back to public works from which they had to be temporarily transferred. “If you will be so good as to contribute to an early solution of the present dispute by agreeing to the immediate constitution of an arbitration board to give their decision on the points of difference between the Union and the colliery company, Sir Edward considers that you will be sell serving the interests of the country as well as the particular interests of the workers at Batu Arang.”

The Straits Times, 8 February 1947, Page 1 Batu Arang Arbitration Agreement From Our Own Correspondent. KUALA LUMPUR, Friday. For two hours this evening, Mr. John Jeff, Commissioner for Labour, Malayan Union, and Mr. J. Brazier, Trade Union Adviser discussed with the Chairman and two Vice-Chairmen of the Malayan Collieries Workers Trade Union details of the arbitration proposals in the strike now prevailing. An official communiqué issued this evening said that an agreement had been reached as to the formation of a board of arbitration and its procedure. It is proposed to form a board as early as possible. It is understood that the Workers Trade Union has agreed to the chairman of the board being a judge, as proposed by the Governor of the Malayan Union, and four other members.

The Straits Times, 11 February 1947, Page 7 Coal Board Will Sit This Week From Our Staff Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Monday. THE Arbitration Board, which is to hear both sides in the coal dispute, will probably sit towards the end of this week. The Malayan Collieries have nominated Mr. W. M. Warren and Mr. J. Mills to represent them, while the strikers’ Trade Union have forwarded the names of Mr. Lam Swee and Mr. C. S. U. K. Moorthi. Mr. Justice Pretheroe will preside at the sessions which will be held in the Council Chamber and will be open to the public. Mr. Warren is Manager in Malaya for the Anglo-Oriental Malaya ltd., while Mr. Mills is Manager of Selayang Tin Dredging Ltd. Mr Lam Swee and Mr. Moorthi are vice-chairman and secretary respectively of the Pan-Malayan Trades Union Congress. The Arbitration Board’s official communiqué states that Mr. J. A. Fraser, M. C. S., of the Malayan Union Secretariat, has been appointed to be Secretary of the Board. Terms of reference of the Board are “to consider various matters in dispute between Malayan Collieries Ltd., and the colliery workers’ Trade Union, Batu Arang and to deliver an award on those matters with a view to the establishment of settled and amicable conditions for the operation of the colliery.”

The Straits Times, 13 February 1947, Page 3 More Tin Mines Close Down In Selangor UNION OFFICIAL IN QUEST OF COAL From Our Staff Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Wednesday. ON the eve of the sitting of the Arbitration Board to hear the Malayan Collieries dispute, I learn that to date about 21 tin dredges and six electrically driven pumps are now idle owing to the coal shortage and that the stage has come when mining companies have to decide whether to place their idle labour forces on part-time work or on the unemployment roll. Mr. A Bean, Chief Inspector of Mines, Malayan Union, is in Singapore to carry out negotiations for the supply of several thousand tons of coal for the Railways and power station and also to find out when the expected 8,000 tons from India may be expected. Japanese personnel at Batu Arang mine are stated to be working fairly well. Official quarters describe the output in the mines as “according to plan”—the plan being to get the bare skeleton requirements for the Malayan Railways and the Bungsar Power Station to keep going on curtailed services. The number of idle dredges is an increase from Jan. 18 when it was disclosed at the Union Advisory Council that 16 coal-using installations had ceased work, while five electrically-driven dredges in Selangor had been allowed to operate for about ten days in the whole of the previous month. Now three electrically driven dredges which are fed by the Bungsar Station are idle as well as two fed from Rawang. A number of dredging companies are seriously considering conversion to oil fuel but it will be a long time before the change-over can be completed. I understand that Malayan Engineering companies are endeavouring to build the necessary machines locally which will allow conversion until British plant arrives which will not be for many months.

The Straits Times, 14 February 1947, Page 5 Coal Miners Present Case to Arbitration Board MALAYAN COLLIERIES REPLIES TO DEMANDS BY WORKERS From Our Staff Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Thursday. Bewilderment and lack of comprehension of the procedure involved in an arbitration court was exhibited by representatives of the Colliery Workers Trade Union of Batu Arang when the Arbitration Board opened here today to examine the issues between the Malayan Collieries Ltd. and its employees, who have been on strike since Jan. 18. The decisions of the board may affect the whole mining industry and its sessions will be followed closely not only by mining companies but also by other industries, in view of the fact that so many important issues are involved—questions relating to living conditions, employees medical and hospital treatment, period of notice for dismissals on either side, and back pay on the Government basis. Today’s proceedings were notable because the Company’s case was made public for the first time in its tabled replies to the Trade Union’s demands. Mr. Justice Pretheroe presided with Mr. W. M. Warren and Mr. J. Mills representing the Collieries, and Mr. Lam Swee and Mr. C. S. K. Moorthi, representing the trade Union. The case for the trade Union is to be put by four representatives—Mr. Hoh Cheng, President of the Union, Mr. Yap Khun, Vice-President, Mr. N. G. Pillai, Treasurer, and Mr. P. K. R. Kurup, President of the Indian Section of the Union. The Collieries case will be presented by Mr. R. C. Russell, Managing Director, and Mr. J. W. Elliot, Resident General Manager of the mine. Informed by the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Justice Pretheroe, that they would have to present their case first, a long discussion ensued amongst the representatives of the Union, who eventually indicated their failure to understand the procedure. “You must ask questions of your witnesses to support your demands. I will help you to ask questions, but I do not know your full case, so you must ask questions also,” said the Chairman. Twelve Demands The Trade Union representatives eventually decided that Mr. Kurup should be the first witness. Mr, Kurup had to be questioned by Mr. Pretheroe with the Trade Union representatives asking a few additional questions. The terms of reference of the Board are: “To consider various matters in dispute and to deliver an award on these matters with a view to establishment of settled and amicable conditions for operation of the Colliery.” The Trade Union presented 12 demands to which the Company gave detailed replies in a memorandum laid on the table. To the first demand that the system of 24 hours’ notice be withdrawn and substituted by one month’s notice on either side the company declared it claimed, the sole right to engage and discharge all labour, to decide the number of employees in each grade required to work the mine at any one time and to direct where and when any employee shall work. Labour was paid thrice monthly, the wages being computed at the end of a ten-day period. It was customary for the length of notice required for the termination of employment from either side to correspond with the period for which wages are paid. Apart from force majeure or gross misconduct on the part of some particular workmen, the Company has given at least ten days’ notice to employees for whom no further work was available. Unemployment The nature of business conducted by the company, continued the reply, is such that the right to stand off the workmen at immediate notice, for temporary periods, is essential. For instance a heavy downpour of rain causes flooding and the continuation of employment in certain sections of the mine may be impossible for days. Breakdowns, machinery and falls of ground may have a similar effect. It is a common practice in coalmining for employers to suspend from work the whole or part of employees, due to causes which prevent certain sections or the whole of the mine from being worked. Such men are not dismissed but remain on the books of the Company and resume work when the conditions in the mine permit. No liability attaches to the Company for payment during such hours of enforced idleness, it being considered one of the fair risks of employment in a coal mining enterprise. The organisation of a coal mine is such that every section is interdependent. It is common practice for employees to be laid off if continuous employment made it difficult or impossible as a result of the strike of any one section of employees, ‘Kungthau System’ While such(? Much) of the Company labour is employed directly by the Company and paid on the basis of a day wage rate or on individual contracts agreed between the Company’s officials and the workmen concerned many of the actual miners have been employed on what is known as the “Kungthau system” wherein the Kungthau agrees with the Company’s officials to work a certain section of the mine and is told the number of men required to perform a particular task. The Kungthau negotiates the terms of contract in consultation with the labourers concerned. Records are supplied by the Kungthau of persons at work and the amount of mineral got or other work achieved to enable the office to split the money earned on the contract as a whole equally to individuals employed on the contract so that each labourer receives the actual amount of money earned by his effort. For this service the Kungthau receives from the Company a sum of seven-and-a-half per cent of the total wages paid his gang. There is no registration of labour and the Company is aware that the Kungthaus interchange personnel while reporting the same set of names on the lists of workers presented to the office. It is therefore impossible to ascertain from the records the true facts with regards to wages paid or hours worked by any particular persons. The Company contends that to administer the Compensation for Injury Enactment and other social services which are now suggested it is essential that the Company employ labour direct and have a complete registration of the whole of the labour force. Back Pay Demand The second demand was payment of a rehabilitation grant and back pay as paid by Government to its employees to which the Company replied that the Union had been asked to prepare a list of employees for whom this claim was made and to state the grounds upon which the claim was based. No reply was received and the Company was not prepared to agree to any demand with no knowledge of the financial liability entailed. Accommodation The third demand was that the Company would be responsible for the repair of workers’ quarters including water supply, and lighting. The Company replied that it already had been agreed between the Company and the Union under the direction of the Deputy Commissioner of Labour, that that Company has done and is doing all in its power in this direction under the present conditions with the existing shortage of materials. The position has been explained tine and time again to the Union representatives and to all intents and purposes the explanations have been accepted. The Company asks the Union to give specific instances of its failure in this respect. Large numbers of persons are residing on the Company’s property, using the Company’s houses and being supplied with electric light and water free of charge, services which the Company are not prepared to continue to provide as it has no obligation to persons not employed in the Company’s business. Medical Facilities Adequate hospital accommodation, equipment and staff, are already provided and free medical attention given to all employees when necessary. Payment during sickness is a demand which has been receiving the attention of the Malayan Mining Employers Association, says the Company. The Company is not opposed to the general principle of some payment being made by employees? When sick, subject to clear conditions, but desires to await the decision and detailed arrangements discussed and agreed by the Malayan Mining Employers Association as a whole. It is not prepared to take unilateral action which may prejudice the whole economy of the country. 1942 Wages The fifth demand asked for immediate payment of eight days wages due to the workers before the Company withdrew from Batu Arang on Jan. 5, 1942, to which the Company replied that no evidence to support the claims of unpaid labourers had been laid before it and it had been suggested to the Union that they may file their claim in a civil court. The Company contends it discharged all its obligations before the mine closed. The sixth demand asked compensation for loss incurred by 300 workers who were paid off during November last year. The Company says that so far as it is aware these labourers sustained no loss for which the Company can be regarded as in any way responsible. Allowance For Tools The seventh demand asked for an allowance for changkols, buckets and tools similar to those paid to the workers before and during 1941. The Company replied that all labourers employed directly are provided with tools, but when labour was engaged on the Kungthau system it was one of the conditions attached to the contract that the Company was in no way responsible for the provision of labourers’ individual tools. The eighth demand asked for the provision of a suitable place in Batu Arang town area for its Union premises to which the Company replied that it was not obligatory for it to provide accommodation of any kind for the use of trade unions. The Company had suggested alternative accommodation to the building at present being occupied, which was required for use as the Company’s Asiatic club. Security For Labour The ninth demand asked for provision of security by means of gratuities, provident fund, cost of living allowances and pensions. The Company replied that it was prepared to consider any unemployment benefit fund, provident fund and pension scheme when it is in a position to know and identify its employees. The first requisite is that all workers must be registered and until that is agreed nothing further can be done. This question is one now under consideration by the Malayan Mining Employers Association in order that a universal scheme can be adopted by employers for the welfare of workers. In the tenth demand the Union asked the Company to take an interest in the education of children at Batu Arang, to which the Company replied that this has been done for many years. 48-Hour Week The eleventh demand by the union was that the Company observe and adopt a 48-hour week; all work beyond that period would be considered overtime with double pay; annual leave and public holidays would be granted with full pay. The Company replied that the possibility of working a six-day week is being actively examined by the Malayan Mining Employers Association and the Company was prepared to institute whatever solution is agreed by the organisation to be operative in the mining industry as a whole. There must be an agreed number of holidays as distinct from the weekly rest days and the dates agreed and settled in writing at the beginning of each year if a concession of extra pay for people required to work on Sundays is granted. To the final demand for co-operation between the employees and the Company, the company said, “Satisfactory co-operation between employers and employees cannot be obtained by constant threat to strike. “Discussion of grievances can take place between the two sides and failing agreement at the end of a definite period, the Company is prepared to lay the facts before an arbitrator and accept his award subject to the Union agreeing likewise. “To pay monies to people while on strike is to encourage perpetual strikes.” First Witness The first witness, Mr. P. K. R. Kurrup, dragline “serang” in the Collieries, who is also President of the Indian Section of the Collieries Trade Union was taken through each demand by the President of the Board and the workers’ representative. He said that one month’s notice was desirable in dismissals to enable workers to find alternative employment. On the question of back pay, Mr. Kurup referred to Press reports that Government servants were asking for 24 months’ back pay and he suggested that whatever Government servants received the Colliery workers should also. Mr. Kurup considered that a qualified medical practitioner should live at the mine, paid by the Company. Referring to the eighth demand, Mr. Kurup declared that the workers who had money due to them had not gone to court as they were not in a position to meet legal fees. Referring to the eighth demand Mr. Kurup said that although alternative premises had been offered by the Company the Union had not moved because “the reasons given by the Company for wanting the premises are not convincing.” The board adjourned at 5.30 until tomorrow. The Union presented an amended ninth demand which now reads, “The Company should guarantee that they shall not reduce wages in future and shall not pay off labourers without adequate reasons.”

The Straits Times, 15 February 1947, Page 3 Evidence of Union Officials in Coal Dispute Company Replies To Amended Demand Mr. T. K. R. Kurup, Chairman of the Indian Section of the Malayan Collieries Workers’ Trade Union, concluded his evidence before the Batu Arang dispute Arbitration Board today, after more than nine hours in the witness chair, describing the life, work and labour troubles at Batu Arang coal mine. In the course of his evidence, he described the procedure adopted by the Union before going on strike. When the Arbitration Court, which is inquiring into the dispute between the Malayan Collieries Ltd., and its employees, adjourned until Monday, Mr. Ho Cheng, President of the Collieries Workers’ Trade Union, was giving evidence. Contrary to yesterday, the Union representatives conducted their case independently today, Mr. Ho Cheng being examined from a prepared list of questions. After overnight consideration, the Malayan Collieries’ representatives today tabled a formal reply to the Workers Union’s ninth demand. The Union’s demand was: “The Company should guarantee that they shall not reduce wages in the future and shall not pay off the labourers without adequate reasons.” The Company replied that this demand was ambiguous. The Company could not guarantee wages. The amount which was regarded as fair remuneration for a fair day’s work at any time to labourers on any grade of work must bear relation to many facts and conditions which were uncertain and which changed as world-wide economics were changing. It was impossible, the Company’s reply stated, to judge future trends. All daily paid labourers were now paid at rates which were instituted by the British Military Administration and bore the same relation to the 1941 rate as labourers generally in Malaya. Since these basic rates were fixed all general wage increases, such as the Pyke awards, had been added. Contract wages varied from time to time and were dependent upon the work to be undertaken and conditions in the working place at any one time. Contract Rates The rates were agreed between the Company’s officials and the labourers concerned as each particular task was started. The Company asked for the right to settle contract rates with the workers concerned. Labourers were not dismissed without adequate reason. The number of employees required in any department of the Company’s operations varied and would continue to vary from time to time as separate mines were developed, worked out and abandoned. Flooding, fires, roof-falls and break-downs of machinery were other factors which necessitated variation in the number of employees required. The Company was not prepared to employ labourers for whom there was no useful work and requested the right to employ or discharge labour as the conditions dictated. The Company’s officials were prepared to meet the Labour Union’s accredited representatives to discuss reasons for dismissal of any one or number of employees and failing agreement, say within a week of the first meeting, to submit the dispute for settlement to an arbitrator on condition that both parties agreed to accept the award and such discussions not to take place under threat of strike. Today’s Hearing Continuing his evidence, Mr. T. J. R. Kurup, Chairman of the Indian Section of the Collieries workers, in reply to Mr. R. C. Russell, Managing Director of Malayan Collieries, said he knew the Commissioner for Labour visited Batu Arang in November to investigate complaints by the workers, but he was then a patient in the Tanglin Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, at the Company’s expense. Mr Russell asked if the Commissioner after inspecting the mine had told the Union representatives that labourers should give credit to the Company for tiding them over a difficult period. Mr. Kurup agreed that that had been mentioned. Mr. Russell: as a result of the visit did not the Company promise to improve the water and light supply and express the hope that the Union would approve? Mr. Kurup: I don’t know. Mr. Kurup agreed that the Company had installed several flush system latrines in the mine, but that these had been stolen by the labourers. He expressed ignorance of the Labour Code provision which made employers liable to penalties for failure to provide medical facilities for their employees. Batu Arang Hospital He said he did not know that the hospital at Batu Arang was run under direction of the Government Medical Officer and to Mr. Russell’s submission that the company had not failed in its obligation in this respect, Mr. Kurup said the employees were merely asking for more facilities. On the subject of premises for the Union, Mr. Kurup expressed the opinion that the Company should provide the Union with premises but he could not cite a precedent in the country when asked to do so by Mr. Russell. Referring to the working hours at the Collieries, Mr. Kurup agreed that the workers were not compelled to work seven days a week. He defined the eleventh demand as being that the labourers expected seven days’ wages for six days’ work. At a meeting on Jan. 16, the workers decided to approach the Company for Sunday to be observed as a holiday, but the Company refused. The workers could not take the matter to the Deputy Commissioner because at that time their organisation did not exist. Questioned about the rule for sick leave in the Collieries, Mr. Kurup said that the worker usually reported to his immediate superior and leave would be granted with or without the worker being medically examined. Mr. Kurup was referred to a set of 12 demands which the Union made on the Company on Jan. 17 when a strike was threatened overnight, and was questioned at length on the procedure of the Union in arriving at these demands. Jan. 17 Threat Mr. Kurup said that in that case they deviated from the rule of holding a general meeting. Instead they spent four days canvassing the opinions of various occupational groups of workers who eventually nominated 250 representatives to decide on the demands at a meeting held at the Union premises. Mr. Kurup said that no check was kept against the infiltration of outsiders to meetings of the Union, whether in the premises or in the open air, but they invariably ascertained that those who voted were workers in the Collieries. Mr. Kurup thought that it was improper to exclude any of Batu Arang’s 16,000 population from the meetings of the Union if they desired to attend, but added that the Union meetings were attended by 90 per cent. of the Collieries’ workers. To another question by Mr. Russell, Mr. Kurup claimed to be conversant with Indian affairs of the Union and said that although he did not know the 1940 Labour Enactment he had an intimate knowledge of the Collieries Workers Trade Union’s own rules, a copy of which he produced to the Board. Mr. Moh Chong, a fitter and President of the Collieries Workers Trade Union, giving evidence next, spoke of the living conditions in Batu Arang. He said that today at least 80 per cent. of the quarters of the labour force were in a state of disrepair. The remaining 20 per cent. had been repaired by the management since the request by the labourers in August last year, to make improvements. Detailing conditions, Mr. Moh Cheng said that 50 per cent. of the latrines had no roofs, flush systems had ceased functioning and were dirty, drains were dirty, the water used for consumption was not filtered, roads in the areas of certain lines were in such a state of disrepair that they were swamped during rain. Mr. Moh Cheng we on to say that most of the temporary attap huts near these lines which had been built by the Japanese were leaking since the Company had not repaired them, as the labourers requested. The water at this place was inadequate, he said.

The Straits Times, 18 February 1947, Page 7 COMPANY CALLS WITNESS IN COAL ARBITR ATION CASE Colliery Blamed For Strike By Unionist From Our Staff Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Monday. THE case for the Malayan Collieries Ltd., was given today when the Arbitration Board, sitting to enquire into the dispute between the Company and its employees was resumed here today. Mr. Hoh Cheng, Chairman of the Colliery Workers Trade Union, concluded his evidence today and in the course of it he said he held the company responsible for the strike. He declared that he wanted the Company to observe the same public holidays as the Government, and that the employees should be paid the same as Government i.e. full pay on public holidays. When Mr. Ho Cheng was referred to the demand which asked for pay during the strike, Mr. Justice Pretheroe, the Chairman, remarked “there will be no end of the strike if the workmen are going to be paid while on strike. You see the position?” The enquiry was adjourned till tomorrow. Mr. Hoh Cheng, Chairman of the Colliery Workers Trade Union, continuing his evidence said that before January this year the workmen had received $11 for working an area eight feet by ten feet by one foot, but now for an area eight feet by 12 feet by one foot they received $6, which was insufficient for their livelihood. He said there were no facilities for school-age children among the 1.3000 children in Batu Arang. The labourers contributed towards the education of children, but the Labour Union did not make any contribution. He said that in order to increase his income he had to work on rest days and he personally demanded a weekly rest day on full pay. He knew that Government workers received full pay for rest days. Altogether he had three public holidays during the year, but had received no pay on those days. He wanted the Company to observe the same holidays as the Government and pay the same as the Government. If the Company wanted him to work on public holidays he wanted double wages. When the Union representatives referred to a demand asking for strike pay, Mr. Pretheroe presiding, said “There will be no end to strikes if they are going to be paid whilst on strike. You see the position?” Asked what was the reason for going on strike, Mr. Hoh Cheng said “The labourers have got to fight for an improvement in living conditions” In his opinion the Company were responsible for the strike. Cross examined by Mr. R. C. Russell, the witness said, he was aware of the Labour Code under which employers were required to provide education and medical facilities. Mr. Russell. Do you know whether the Collieries have ever been fined for not complying with these regulations? Mr. Hoh Cheng: So far as I know, no. So you express dissatisfaction with what the Government has laid down as necessary? - The accommodation is not sufficient to deal with all school-going children. The public school can only accommodate 500 children. Will you answer my question? -Yes laborers are dissatisfied. I am not dissatisfied with the provisions of the code, but the company should build schools to accommodate all school going children. Has the union ever made any representations to the Government that the provisions in the labour code are insufficient: -No.” Colliery Evidence The evidence for the Collieries then opened with the first witness, Mr. G. A. Keymer, Chief Accountant, who proceeded to give an account of the wages system on the mine. The labourers were employed either directly by the Company or on the Kungthau system or through contractors. The minimum daily wages for a male adult, including the cost of living allowance, was $1.14. The Kungthau was a man responsible for providing gang labour and he did not provide a list of names of the labourers for each particular job. Mr. Keymer said it was customary for the Company to agree with the Kungthau about the piece of work to be done and it was the Kungthau’s business to obtain the number of labourers after agreement on the sum as payment. After completion of the work, the wages were handed in bulk to the Kungthaus who distributed it to the labourers. The Company formerly took 10 days to calculate dues of individual labourers. Regarding the Union’s fourth demand for more medical facilities, Mr. Keymer said that under the present system of pay by quota of work, it was impractical to pay sick labourers. Referring to the sixth demand for compensation for 300 paid off during November, Mr. Keymer said that on this occasion the necessary information about the working hours of labourers had been deliberately withheld from him by the kepalas making it impossible for him to calculate the labourers’ wages. It was not until the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions had visited the mine and induced the kepala to supply the information that he had been able to draw up the pay sheet and pay off the labourers on Jan. 16. At this stage, the hearing was held up for 15 minutes when the President allowed time for the evidence of Mr. Keymer to be explained to the Union representatives by their only interpreter. This was the culmination of a complaint by the Union representatives that they had not been able to follow Mr. Keymer’s evidence because their interpreter had been engaged in recording the proceedings. Mr. Pretheroe said “it really is your own fault. You have to conduct your own case and you have to bring your own interpreters. The Government is bearing the expenses of this hearing and you cannot expect it to provide you with interpreters as well. The Union representatives replied “We were told by the Commissioner for Labour that we would be supplied with interpreters.” For the rest of the proceedings, Mr. Pretheroe instructed the Court interpreter to explain the evidence to the Union representatives. Cross-examined by Unions representatives, with regard to the notice given to the labourers before dismissal, Mr. Keymer said that 10 days notice was given in the case of the 300 labourers in order to enable them to find work elsewhere, although the Company was not obliged to because of the specific conditions of 24 hours notice in their case. No Register The next witness was Mr. R. G. Pash of Batu Arang mines, who said that his duties consisted of looking after housing and education affairs. Mr. Pash said there were about 300 private dwellings on the mines for workers and there were also married quarters, most of which were supplied with water and electric light free of charge. The water was filtered. Flush system latrines were repaired after the war, but the vital parts were subsequently stolen and it was difficult to obtain replacement. As no register was kept of the Company’s employees, it was difficult to establish how many non-employees were living on the Company’s property but he thought there were many. Mr. Pash said the Company spent over $50,000 on repairing property in the latter part of last year and $18,000 to purchase attaps, to repair labourers’ quarters in spite of low supply of attaps. Small huts were repaired free of charge. As far as he knew no repairs were carried out in the Japanese regime. After the re-occupation a large part of the Company’s property needed repair and the question was engaging the constant attention of the Company. With regard to medical facilities for the labourers, Mr. Pash said that all labourers, and even outsiders were treated at the mine hospital, free of charge. Serious cases as a result of accidents were transferred to Government hospitals. There was also a welfare nurse on the mine who visited the hospital and the school and also attended to people in her house. The ambulance on the mine had its vital parts and tyres stolen repeatedly but the Company had managed some how to re-equip it and it was in good condition at the moment. Regarding the Union’s eighth demand for premises to be supplied to the Union, Mr. Pash said that new alternative premises had been proposed to the Union. These were just next door to the one which the Company wished the Union to vacate and was required for the Asiatic Sports Club. At this stage, the enquiry was adjourned till tomorrow.

The Straits Times, 19 February 1947, Page 5 BATU ARANG CHIEF DISCUSSES MINE LABOURERS Japanese Removed More Than Million Tons Of Coal From Our Staff Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Tuesday. A STATEMENT that it would be impracticable for the Company to re-engage the same number of labourers on the resumption of work after the present strike, in view of the fact that certain sections of the mine were inoperable, was made by Mr. J. W. Elliot, General Manager of Batu Arang Coal Mine, when he gave evidence today before the Arbitration Board inquiring into the dispute between the Malayan Collieries Ltd., and its employees. Mr Elliot also said that if the Company were to concede to the Union’s demand for payment of wages on sick days and holidays, it would mean a substantial increase in the cost of coal which would in turn be a burden to the industry. Mr. Elliot revealed that during the Japanese occupation, the Japanese produced an aggregate total of 1,300,000 tons of coal. Mr. G. Hinchcliffe, Mining Engineer, referring to the Union’s demand for back pay, expressed the opinion that that the mining labourers suffered very little during the Japanese occupation when the largest labour force at any time was employed on the mine. Education On Mine Continuing to give evidence on the educational facilities at Batu Arang, Mr. R. G. Pash, Office manager of the mine, said that the company had built a Tamil school and bore the full cost of the maintenance of the school for children of the employees. There were over 200 pupils who were taught by three qualified teachers and the Company had approached the Education department for the recruitment of two more teachers. The Company also organized and paid for the distribution of milk to school children. The Company paid $600 monthly towards past maintenance of the Yip Koon Chinese school and had made an effort to enlarge the accommodation by trying to secure the premises at present occupied by the M. P. A. J. A. Milk was also occasionally supplied to Chinese schoolchildren. Medical Facilities Questioned with regard to the medical facilities again, Mr. Pash said it was true the Company needed the services of a qualified doctor and nurse and they had approached the Government for help to replace these personnel and had also advertised. The Union representatives asked “Does not this inadequate staff reflect on the health of the labourers?” The President replied, “The witness has already explained the circumstances: there is a great shortage of doctors and nurses at present.” Continuing, Mr. Pash said that midwifery on the mine was dealt with by a welfare nurse. There was an average of 35 to 48 births a month on the mine and as far as he knew there had been no deaths from childbirth. In reply to another question by the Union representatives, Mr. Pash said he had never heard of cases of infectious diseases among labourers being sent back to the lines before full recuperation. On the question of the dismissal of labourers, Mr. Pash, in reply to the Union representatives, said that there was certainly no case of dismissal at 24 hours notice, except in cases where the labourers were guilty of serious misconduct. He had never heard of maltreatment of labourers. The Union representatives asked. “Do you know that at 4 p.m. on July 17, last year, a lorry driver was kicked and dismissed immediately by the management of the mine without being given notice?” Mr. Pash replied. “I don’t know of such an instance.” Questioned about the dismissal of the clerical staff, Mr. Pash said that notice of one month was given as the clerks were employed on a month to month basis. Mr. Pash said he had no knowledge of back pay granted to European officials of the mine as he was not a direct employee of the mine but was employed by Messrs. J. A. Russell who were managing the mine. Asked by the Union representatives if he considered the labourers of the mine had incurred three-and-a-half years loss of wages as a result of the Japanese occupation, Mr. Pash said “I don’t see how they could have lost anything if the Company was not in existence.” The next witness called was Mr. G. Hinchcliffe, a mining engineer at Batu Arang mine who said he had spent the whole of his coal mining life in the United Kingdom and Malaya. With regard to the Union’s first demand for the withdrawal of the 24-hours’ notice system, Mr. Hinchcliffe explained that mines both local and in the United Kingdom sometimes closed, due to underground fires and other accidents. Labourers would even (then?) be laid off from work at which time it was customary for mining companies to dismiss labourers without notice. In other words the Company was not responsible for paying the labourers during the period when work was not available. Such temporary unemployment periods were normal risks attached to the coal mining industry. With regard to the Union’s demand for the rehabilitation grant and back pay, Mr. Hinchcliffe recalled that during his internment he received secret reports that the Batu Arang mine was being worked by a Japanese company and also from his personal contact with the labourers after the war, he learnt that the Japanese employed a bigger labour force at the mine than had happened at any other time. On the basis if this information Mr. Hinchcliffe said his opinion was that labourers suffered very little financially during the Japanese occupation. Referring to the union’s fifth demand for eight days wages due to workers before the Company withdraw from Batu Arang in Jan. 1942, Mr. Hinchcliffe recalled that sometime before the Company evacuated on Jan 5, 1942, wages were computed every three days and during the last few days wages were computed every day. When it was finally decided to evacuate the property, wages for all labourers were computed. Pay chits were available to all labourers who presented themselves at the office. The majority of labourers collected their pay chits and money due to them while others, being frightened of Japanese bombing, had run away to the jungle. Mr. Hinchcliffe said he was present when an amount of unclaimed wages was paid over by the Company to two officials of the labour organization at the Batu Arang Police Station. The names of these two officials were Mr. Yap Saik and Mr. Woo Pin, and when the money was paid, the labourers were duly notified. Those who demanded their dues on the spot were immediately paid. European and clerical staffs were also paid off when the company ceased to operate. With reference to the Union’s seventh demand for tools allowance, Mr. Hinchcliffe explained that prior to 1941, kungthaus were paid a three cents tool allowance per shift. It was also customary for the Company to grant allowances to the labourers for travelling and working in water. Free Tools Pay list labourers were provided with tools free of charge. At present, however, under piece work contract, labourers had to provide their own tools and in the fixing of piece rates, the Company had already taken into account this factor. In reply to the President, Mr. Hinchcliffe said a coal hewer used a changkol, basket and a pick, while a timber worker working in the jungle, used a sword and an axe. On the Union’s ninth demand for an assurance that the Company would not reduce wages, Mr. Hinchcliffe said that he was in charge of fixing piece rates in the West mine, and these rates varied according to the coal facings to be worked in different parts of the mine. Mr. Hinchcliffe proceeded to give an account of the rates of payment for working coal and said that in the case mentioned by the President of the Collieries workers’ Trade Union, the standard rate of $7 had been increased to $11 because allowance had been given to conditions existing. Mr. Hinchcliffe, making a comparison between Batu Arang and the United Kingdom mines, said that whereas an underground shift in the United Kingdom could fill three tons of coal, the same shift in Batu Arang could only fill one ton. He added that there was no reason why local miners could not increase their filling output if they wished to increase their earnings. With regard to the Union’s eleventh demand for the observation of a 48-hour week, Mr. Hinchcliffe said that labourers in Batu Arang worked an average of 22 or 23 days a month and underground miners worked an average of four and five hours a shift. Mr. Hinchcliffe added that no labourer in Batu Arang had ever been dismissed on grounds that he did not work seven days a week. In reply to a question by the President, Mr. Hinchcliffe said there were 400 to 500 underground workers in Batu Arang, compared to 15,000 to 20,000 prewar. Mr. J. W. Eliot, General Manager of the Malayan Collieries Ltd., next took the witness stand. The number of the Company’s employees varied from time to time because it was customary to lay off work in accordance with the demand for coal, said Mr. Eliot. In such cases, the Company was not responsible for the wages of workers no longer required or, in other words, it was customary for the Company at short notice to lay off labourers without financial liability. In reply to another question, Mr. Eliot said he considered it desirable in future for labourers to be employed directly by the company and registered.

The Straits Times, 21 February 1947, Page 5 BATU ARANG BOARD ADJOURNS TO CONSIDER FINDINGS Trade Union Advisor Gives Evidence From Our Staff Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Thursday. AFTER hearing the evidence of Mr. J. A. Brazier, Trade Union Adviser for the Malayan Union, called as a special witness, the Arbitration Board inquiring into the dispute between Malayan Collieries Ltd., and its employees, today adjourned to consider its findings. In the course of his evidence, Mr. Brazier was questioned by Mr. W. M. Warren, a member of the Board, on the working conditions, rates of pay, public holidays and other conditions affecting miners and other industrial workers in the United Kingdom. Mr. Brazier asked the Board to keep in mind the advanced stage of the employer and employee consultation schemes in the United Kingdom when dealing with cases in Malaya. On the resumption of the hearing this morning, Mr. Justice Pretheroe, the President, asked the Union representatives if they had any objection to the registration of labourers of the Collieries, since the President said, during his tour of the mine yesterday, he had found persons in the Company’s quarters who had no connection with the Company. Registration would ensure that persons who applied for quarters were the Company’s employees. A union representative replying pointed out that workers had previously objected to identification by plates and wished to know what form of registration was being contemplated. After several questions and answers had passed between the President and the Union representative, the Union representative finally replied that he could not express any opinion on the matter. In reply to the President, Mr. R. C. Russell, Managing Director of the Collieries said that on the basis of ration cards there were 18,000 women and children in Batu Arang. Special Witness Mr. J. A. Brazier was next sworn in as a special witness. Mr. Brazier was questioned at length regarding payments in the United Kingdom during “lay offs” necessitated by mechanical breakdowns, lack of materials and other factors beyond the control of management. He replied that where there was good relationship between the employer and the employee, and negotiated conditions of service there would be payment to employees, but this was not general. Important factors that had to be borne in mind were that in England the labourer was covered by a national practice. Questioned regarding the period of notice required to terminate the employment of mine and other industrial daily paid workers in the U.K. Mr. Brazier replied, “It depends on the terms of the contract, but generally speaking there would be a week’s notice for a daily paid worker.” Mr. Warren asked, “Are free quarters, free water and free light usually granted by employers of daily paid miners or industrial workers in the United Kingdom?” Mr. Brazier replied, “Generally speaking, no. Some industries and some mines have their own housing estates where the employees live at a low rent. There is no profit made on the letting of the houses.” Asked if free medical attention and pay during periods of sickness were the responsibilities of the employers in the United Kingdom, Mr. Brazier replied that these would depend upon individual cases. Free medical attention and sick pay were not the responsibility of the employer, but was normally covered by National Health Insurance where employer, employee and Government contributed approximately equal amounts per week for the cost of these services. Again there were quite a number of industrial undertakings including some groups of mines where they had welfare schemes which provided certain forms of convalescent treatment, dental and optical treatment through a Welfare Department. Mr. Warren asked: “Are buildings for the use of Trade Unions provided by employers in the United Kingdom?” Mr. Brazier replied: “No.” Advanced Stage Mr. Warren: “Do employers in the United Kingdom guarantee that they shall not reduce wages or rates of piece work on contracts in the future?” Mr. Brazier: “We have got to keep in mind in dealing with cases in Malaya, the very advanced stage that has been reached in England with employer and employee consultation schemes, and in the United Kingdom no employer would be foolish enough to reduce wages or rates of piece work or contract terms without consulting the appropriate Union. “Most piece work rates and rates of pay and conditions of service are not imposed by employer or employee. They are jointly negotiated.” Asked if the education of children on mines or in other industrial works was the responsibility of the employer in the United Kingdom, Mr. Brazier replied: “Education, like the National Health Insurance benefit, is provided from the pockets of the tax-payer and the employee. It is not the responsibility of the employer. It is the responsibility of the State.” Mr. Warren asked: “Are public holidays with full pay granted to mines or industrial daily-paid workers in the United Kingdom?” Mr. Brazier replied, “In most cases with large firms and mines, the answer would be ‘yes’” Mr. Warren asked, “How many public holidays are recognised in the year?” Mr. Brazier replied, “It would depend on the kind of industry. In the railways, only four are recognised for the purpose of pay. With some factories you would have all your public holidays with pay but public holidays are clearly defined and are also negotiated.” “What is the practice on mines?”—“so far as I know any stoppage of work in the mines, because of a public holiday is recognised by the mine, by the payment of extra rates for working on that day.” The President asked, “Do you know what are the rates?” Mr. Brazier replied, “Generally double time in mines.” Mr. Warren: “What is the practice on mines employing the contract system or the piece system?” Mr. Brazier: “In most piecework forms of payment there is a recognised normal daily rate for the purpose of calculating holidays and payment of sick benefits.” The President: Is there an equipment rate?—Yes. Mr. Brazier said that the usual practice in the United Kingdom in regard to payment for overtime to daily paid men or other industrial workers was again dependent upon the particular agreement arrived at between the employer and employee. General Principles The Trade Unions did not encourage overtime. Overtime rates again depended upon what form of overtime it was—overtime that was continuous with normal working hours, overtime during a night working period or overtime during Sundays and Bank Holiday periods. Overtime periods depended on how they were worked and during what time of the day they occurred. Clarifying his statement Mr. Brazier said he was talking about general principles of overtime as they knew it in England—time worked over and above a normal working day but was continuous with it. Overtime during the period 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. would depend on whether the wage during the night rate period was looked upon as carrying an extra rate. Most people going to work between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. for their normal rates would be given an extra quarter of an hour for every hour worked during that period. Therefore the night rate was higher that the day rate. It was very rare to find overtime rate paid at all for work performed on holidays and Sundays; it carried double rate of pay irrespective of the hours worked. Mr. Brazier, continuing his evidence, said that the wages and conditions of service of the daily paid men in England were set out in a normal settlement which was negotiated by the men’s Trade Union, with the employer. It was usual for most large commercial and industrial undertakings to grant annual holidays with pay provided the person had been in regular employment for the period of six months, 12 months or so. There was a qualifying period before a man became entitled to holidays. Mr. Warren asked: “Is it customary in the United Kingdom for a pool of unregistered labour to be drawn on by contractors and if so what is the position of the management towards this labour system.” Mr. Brazier replied, “There is very little of this system in England where men are in a pool awaiting employment. The employer generally goes to the Labour Exchange.” The President: The answer is that it does not exist. —Yes. This concluded the evidence of Mr. J. A. Brazier and all the evidence before the Arbitration Board. The Board adjourned for its findings.

The Straits Times, 28 February 1947, Page 5 BATU ARANG ARBITRATION FINDINGS Board Awards 48-Hour Week; Rejects Back Pay Strike Pay Described As Astonishing Demand From Our Staff Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Thursday. In twelve single-spaced pages of judgement, the Arbitration Board which inquired into the dispute between Malayan Collieries Ltd. and the Colliery Workers Trade Union rejected the demand for back pay and awarded a 48-hour working week, with special overtime rates and payment of three public holidays per year. The judgement declared that the procedure in which the strike was called offended against the provisions of the Trade Unions Enactment of 1941. This Enactment provided that all decisions should be taken by secret ballot. The Board also urged the need for immediate introduction by the Company of a system of registration of labour. “The fact that the Company does not know its own employees is a cause of grave mistrust between the two parties.” said the Board who also suggested that every employee should be given a printed copy of his service contract before starting work for the Company. The Board’s findings are:- First Demand The first demand was that the Company should withdraw the present system of giving 24 hours’ notice on either side and substitute therefore one month’s notice on either side. It is a fact that the present system only requires 24 hours’ notice of termination of contract of service by either side and a note to this effect appears at the bottom of every wages receipt. We found however, that this short notice was only given by the Company in cases of serious misconduct and in other cases it is usual to give ten days’ notice. The Company claimed that the nature of their business makes it “essential” that they shall have the right to “stand-off” workmen at immediate notice for temporary periods. But it is evident that standing-off for temporary periods and dismissal are two different matters and the same procedure regarding notice need not be applied in each case. The Union’s demand refers to dismissal only and when presenting their case only dismissal was mentioned. Our remarks on this subject therefore apply to dismissal only and not to laying-off. The Union agreed that it is only after two or three cases of minor misconduct that the offender is dismissed and then ten days’ notice is commonly given. The Company therefore rarely exercises its power to dismiss at 24 hours’ notice. The Union object, however, to the constant risk of the power being exercised and we consider their objection reasonable and the existence of this power tends to have an unsettling effect on the workmen. As the Company has the right at Common Law in any case of gross misconduct to dismiss an offender immediately, we can see no reason why the longer notice cannot be given in the other cases. We consider the Company’s practice to give a period between two pay days (that is ten days at present) is equitable and it should be adopted as a general rule in all cases except gross misconduct. The adoption of this period will also enable all employees to be paid very shortly after their employment is terminated and will thus remove a present grievance. Second Demand The Union’s second demand was for a rehabilitation grant and for back pay “as paid by the Government to its employees.” It is doubtful if the Union fully understands the meaning of a rehabilitation grant. In their case a large majority of the workmen lived in the same quarters throughout the occupation period and are still in them; they worked continuously during that period and down to the present strike and the Company is under a contractual obligation to rehabilitate and maintain the quarters. During the period July 1, 1946 to the end of that year, the Company expended $72,000 on repairing the workmen’s quarters; more has been expended since and much more will have to be expended in the future. This expenditure by the Company clearly takes the place of the rehabilitation grants as paid to other persons who have suffered loss during the occupation period. With regard to back pay, none is due from the Company. On the evening of Jan. 5, 1942 the Company discharged all its employees, European and Asiatic and they re-employed those at present on their payrolls after they resumed control of their property on July 1, 1946. No back pay is claimed in respect of the period since the last mentioned date, but it is claimed in respect of the period of occupation when a Japanese Company was operating the mines. Any liability to pay any arrears of salary is therefore clearly with the Japanese Company whose servants the workmen were at that time. One member of the board of assessors does not agree with this decision, insofar as it relates to back pay. Third Demand The third demand was that the Company should be responsible for the repair of the workmen’s quarters. The Company themselves admit that they are responsible for the maintenance of the workmen’s quarters and for providing them with light and water. Many quarters at Batu Arang still await repairs and some of these are in a deplorable state of disrepair. We agree that the Company is faced with real difficulties in carrying out their obligations. The Company is gravely handicapped by not being able to identify their own workmen. Before the war a system of registration was operative at Batu Arang but the Union successfully resisted its re-institution after the re-occupation. There are a considerable number of squatters resident on the Company’s property and relics of the large amount of additional labour recruited by the Japanese and persons who previously worked for the Company but who have not been re-employed. They have been on several occasions directed by the Company to leave but have ignored the direction and the Company refrained from taking action, presumably to avoid precipitating a strike. These non-employee residents who use the Company’s electric current and water number some hundreds. The Company is anxious to get these persons off their property and naturally cannot be expected to repair the quarters of squatters. It will be observed that the Union representatives themselves referred to these squatters “as members and workers for the Company” and in fact made their living conditions a major matter in their case. The strike itself has delayed the Company’s repair programme by over one month but nevertheless it is imperative that the Company shall take immediate and effective steps to discharge their liability in this matter by renovating all houses of their employees which require renovation as quickly as is reasonably possible. Fourth Demand The fourth demand was that the Company should provide more medical attention for sick labourers and pay full wages during absence from work due to sickness. The Company admitted the first part of this demand to the extent that there should be a Resident Medical officer on the property. When the services of a Medical officer are obtained, residents at Batu Arang will, at no expense to themselves, enjoy medical facilities equal to those provided in large towns. In our opinion, the Union has failed to prove the first part of this demand except in so far as the appointment of a Medical Officer is concerned. In the second part of this demand the Union asked for payment of full wages during absence due to sickness. As a patient in hospital pays no fees or expenses and is not charged for his food, it follows that if he were to continue to draw full pay he would be financially better off in hospital than when working on the minefield. This might lead to undesirable consequences but we appreciate that while a patient himself is well cared for in hospital, his dependants still have to be supported. For this reason we consider that the Company should accept in some degree a liability commonly accepted elsewhere and make some payment to a workman who is absent from work on account of ill-health. In such circumstances the Company should pay a sick or incapacitated workman his wages at one half normal rate for the period of his absence of work or for 14 days, whichever may be lesser. It will be necessary for the workmen to satisfy the Company his absence from work is in fact due to illhealth and when the services of a Medical Officer are secured the Company will doubtless require a medical certificate signed by him. In the case of piece workers an equivalent daily wage rate will have to be agreed to between the Company and workman concerned before the latter can enjoy this privilege. Whilst on this subject we draw the attention of the Union leaders to their folly in calling out on strike sanitary gangs. By so doing they have endangered their own and their families health and have secured no advantage thereby. Fifth Demand Regarding the fifth demand for immediate pay, for wages due to workmen during the eight days period to Jan. 5. 1942, this date was that on which the Company discharged its staff and European members left Batu Arang. Although immediate payment is demanded the Union did not provide the Company with a list of names of labourers until asked by the Board itself. Examination of the list of names handed to us reveal that it includes names of 1937 labourers who claim a total sum of about $12,550. Many claims are for eight days wages and many more are for six. The Company have stated, however, that they are willing to pay any labourer who can prove his claim so we have decided to hand the list to them and make no award on this demand. Sixth Demand The sixth demand refers to compensation loss incurred by 300 workmen who were paid off in November, 1946. Apart from the fact that some of the delay in payment of the men has been due to their own conduct, the workmen concerned undoubtedly have a genuine grievance. Prior to Dec. 11 the cause of the delay was entirely due to the Company and in our opinion it is equitable that each of 195 labourers employed on the Kungthau system should be paid 10 days’ wages. In the case of any piece workers and in the absence of any agreed equivalent fixed wage, we suggest they be paid an average of the amounts they received on the last three paydays immediately preceding Nov. 20. Seventh Demand The seventh demand is for payment of allowance for changkols, baskets and other tools, similar to those paid in 1941. Workmen provide their own tools and prior to 1941 were paid an allowance at the rate of three cents a shift to recompense them. Since the reoccupation, payment of this allowance has been discontinued, but the amount was included in the agreement, for any particular task. These rates very according to the nature of working conditions, but in 1941 the average rate was $2.20 per foot. Now it is $7 per ft and we are satisfied that this figure does in fact include the former three cents per shift tool allowance. Eighth Demand The eighth demand relates to alternative quarters for occupation by the Union. The Company provides the Union with the building occupied as their headquarters free of charge and likewise provide electric current and water. This is a generous and unusual gesture on the part of the Company and it is surprising to find it forming the basis of a demand to be complied with within 48 hours or else the Union will call a strike. The building at present occupied by the Union was occupied by the Asiatic Sports Club before the war. Now the Club desires to reoccupy the premises so the Company has requested the Union to move into premises some few yards away. The alternative quarters are in a state of repair and are commodious, being 45 ft. square. We consider the Union should forthwith evacuate the Asiatic Sports Club and would be well advised to accept the alternative accommodation offered by the Company. A representative of the Company who had no power to bind the Company, however, told us the Company would be willing to provide lavatory accommodation in the new premises. If this is done the Union may consider themselves remarkably fortunate in the present circumstances. Ninth Demand Regarding the new ninth demand that the Company should guarantee they shall not reduce wages in future and shall not pay off labourers without adequate reasons, naturally no Company in any normal circumstances can afford to guarantee that it will never reduce wages at some future date and such a demand is in our opinion utterly unreasonable and should not be granted. With regard to the second part of this demand the Company state they have not in the past and will not in the future dismiss anybody without adequate reasons. We accept this and point out that in any case such a victim would have his reason. Tenth Demand On the tenth demand that the Company should take an interest in the education of children of Batu Arang, this is accepted by the Company. It’s apparent that the Company do in fact take a practical interest in the children’s education. Eleventh Demand The eleventh demand refers to hours of work and granting of annual leave on full pay with full pay leave on public holidays. At present part of the labour force At Batu Arang is employed on piece work and work whatever hours they deem fit. The hours of these workmen do not appear to be onerous as underground workers average 4 ½ to five hours per day and 22 to 23 days per month. Others work eight hours a day and work is available seven days in a week but no one is compelled to work every day. As they are paid a daily rate, a number of employees do in fact work seven days a week in order to swell their wage slips. As far as direct employees of the Company are concerned, we consider that the eight-hour day should be standard and that there should be one rest day a week. This need not necessarily be the same day for all employees but should be mutually arranged between the Company and employees. Anytime worked in excess of eight hours should be rewarded as overtime and additional payment made. The grant of annual leave would require the employment of additional staff in order to maintain even the present low output of coal. The Company could only meet such additional expenditure by increasing the selling price of coal and if leave with full pay were granted the resulting increase in the price of coal to the consumer would, in the words of a witness, be “noticeable.” We consider that it would be a dis-service to the public to increase the cost of coal in these unsettled times. So this concession, which it may perhaps be possible to grant at some future date, cannot be granted now. Regarding public holidays with pay, we consider that the Government system in Selangor by which daily paid workmen are paid in respect of three of 13 public holidays in the State and if they are required to work on any of those three days, double pay is paid is fair and reasonable and should be adopted by the Company. The three public holidays on which employees are paid will have to be mutually arranged between the Company and employees at the beginning of each year or else definitely fixed for subsequent years and the agreement should be in writing to avoid misunderstanding and possible accounting errors. Twelfth Demand The twelfth demand is that employees on strike should be paid their wages by the Company during the strike. This demand was one of the 12 submitted to the Company on Jan 17 this year which had to be conceded within 48 hours to avoid a strike. In the circumstances it is difficult to see how the Company could have avoided the present stoppage of work. Wages are a consideration paid for services rendered and as no services have in fact been rendered during the strike, we hold that the Company is fully entitled to stand on its legal rights and ignore this astonishing demand. This strike was taken at a meeting of “representatives” by a show of hands. The representatives were chosen from ‘groups’ by persons or means which we were unable to ascertain. This procedure offended against provisions of the Trade Unions Enactment, 1940, which provides that all decisions shall be taken by secret ballot. This rule must be included in the rules of every registered Trade Union but in the case of the Colliery Workers Trade Union, it appears to be only applicable to the election of officials of the Union. We have referred to the necessity for immediate introduction by the Company of a system of registration of labour. The fact that the Company does not know its own employees is a cause of grave mistrust between the two parties. Thus during the course of this arbitration, the management have clearly indicated by cross-examination their suspicion that the Union leaders themselves were not employees of the Company. Another possible cause of friction is that the large majority of employees have not a knowledge of English and complain that notices etc., are often published in English only. Even the union leaders cannot speak English. We suggest that all notices and in particular contracts of service be set out in English, Hakka and Malayalam. We further suggest that every employee be given a printed copy of his contract of service before he starts working for the Company. The employee would understand the legal position better if the contract agreement set out the privileges enjoyed by workman as well as the terms of service and the fact that the right to enjoy these privileges ends with termination of contract of service. During the course of the proceedings representatives of the Company have stated that they are always willing to discuss any matter with the Union leaders before giving effect to any decision. It is to be hoped that the Union leaders will accept this clear statement and that they will reciprocate this gesture. It appears to us that if the parties to this dispute had met and discussed the various points in a conciliatory manner, most of them could not have remained unsettled for so many months.

The Straits Times, 3 March 1947, Page 1 Hitch In Malayan Coal Talks From Our Staff Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Sunday. Another hitch arose today during what were hoped would be final discussions between Malayan Collieries, Ltd. and the Collieries workers on the subject of the award by the Arbitration Board. It was hoped that the Union representatives would sign the agreement and that the men would return to work tomorrow. While the Union representatives are understood to have accepted the award, they are unwilling to agree to registration of employees by the company without first reference to the workers themselves. After discussions which lasted from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. the meeting ended with the Union representatives declaring they would call a mass meeting of the workers tomorrow morning to place the question of registration to them. They promised to convey the result of the meeting to the Company by 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

The Straits Times, 9 March 1947, Page 1 COLLIERY STRIKE SETTLED Sunday Times Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Saturday The management of Malayan Collieries Ltd. and the Colliery Workers Labour Union have reached an agreement on the only outstanding issue in the labour dispute—the number of men to be re-engaged when production is resumed and work will be resumed with the first shift on Monday. The agreement was reached and signed this evening after an all-day meeting. The Company have agreed to take back the same number of men employed before the strike within three days and the workers have agreed that as there is insufficient work for everyone, to share the work until production reaches the pre-strike figure.

The Straits Times, 17 March 1947, Page 6 COLLIERIES TAKEN OVER BY COMPANY From Our Own Correspondent Kuala Lumpur, Sunday. The Malayan Collieries coal-mine at Batu Arang has been handed back to the company. An order creating the Chief Inspector of Mines as competent authority during the recent strike has been revoked on the grounds that it is no longer considered necessary. It is understood that the Japanese Personnel who worked the mines are beginning to be withdrawn. The chairman of the Colliery Workers’ Trade Union wrote a letter to the Governor of the Malayan Union, Sir Edward Gent, pointing out that returning labourers regarded with the greatest dissatisfaction the fact that Japanese were still occupying the works. The Governor is understood to have replied that the Japanese were not working the mines and that it took a little time for the withdrawal of the 1,000 men.

The Straits Times, 20 March 1947, Page 6 Pan-Malayan Labour The Pan-Malayan Federation of Trade Unions and its branch federations in the States and Settlements must be wondering how they will be affected by the decision to enforce the trade-union law strictly. The question arises of whether these federations can be or will be registered. There is a difference between the Malayan Union and Singapore on this point. It is understood that in the Union the Government’s advisers hold that a federation is not a trade union and should not be registered as such. If that view is accepted, it would appear that the only way in which the Pan-Malayan Federation of Trade Unions (whose headquarters are in Kuala Lumpur) can legalise itself will be through the procedure of the Societies Ordinance. In Singapore, on the contrary, the Trade Unions Ordinance inherited from the defunct Straits Settlements specifically states that the term “trade union” includes any federation of two or more trade unions. It is obviously desirable to agree upon uniformity between the Union and Singapore on this matter, but in any case the legality of these federations and their future in the Malayan labour movement have to be faced. Those who have probed most deeply into the labour troubles in this country today put a large share of the blame on the Pan-Malayan Federation of Trade Unions and its branches, particularly the Singapore Federation of Trade Unions, which is in bad odour even in quarters which go much farther than the business community in their desire to see strong and enlightened leadership of the masses in their struggle to rise above the age-old coolie standards of Asia. Unfortunately it has been demonstrated over and over again, in various parts of Malaya, that these federations of trade unions tend to make labour troubles worse instead of better, by persistently interfering in strikes, instead of letting the particular union concerned reach a settlement in independent negotiations. This was seen, for example, in the attempts to settle the Malayan Collieries strike at Batu Arang, where interference by the P. M. F. T. U. repeatedly caused a fresh deadlock just when agreement was in sight. Unfortunately, in all these labour questions we rarely get the whole story or the whole truth. For example, it is not generally known that in the difficult negotiations leading up to a settlement of the estate labour dispute in the Ulu Langat district of Selangor, a Chinese official of the Selangor federation of Trade Unions gave patient and constructive assistance. What looks like red revolution in Malayan labour organisations is sometimes more crudity. The personnel of these federations of trade unions—who form a sort of permanent headquarters staff of the trade-union movement in their respective districts—are extremely inexperienced: they themselves do not know the right way to go about the task of labour leadership. It is only too clear that at present they are doing far more harm than good, but they have to learn, like other people, from painful experience, and so far they have had very little of that. More perhaps, is in the offing. But all this does not answer the question of what the future of the Pan-Malayan Federation of Trade Unions and its branches is to be. It is often argued, by those who regard these federations as the root of all evil, that registration of trade unions should be strictly enforced not so much because that is the law but because it is an indirect method of nullifying the federations. Once a trade union is registered it may not be possible, under its own regulations, to go on contributing a large percentage of its funds to its local federation—twenty per cent is the contribution paid by Singapore unions to the war-chest of the S. F. T. U. Therefore, the argument goes on, it will not be possible for these federations to exist when all unions are registered. Those who argue in this way are trying to force the Malayan Governments into a position which may be untenable. The trade unions of Great Britain have their Trade Union Congress; so have the unions of Australia and New Zealand. In the United States there are the exceedingly powerful American federation of Labour and the Congress of Industrial Organisations. In every country where the trade union movement is well advanced, it has its central organisation. It is asserted emphatically, by those who should know, that the P. M. F. T. U in Malaya is not in any sense equivalent to the T. U. C. in Great Britain. One difference is that the T. U. C. is an entirely democratic body, composed of delegates elected by all the member unions, but the main difference is that the T. U. C. does not foment or lead strikes but is concerned only with the trade-union movement as a whole, in its relations with Government and with industry. Each union in Great Britain settles its own affairs with its own employers and would be the first to resent interference from the T. U. C. Here in Malaya the opposite is the case, and the Plantation .M. F. T. U. and its branches will have to change their policies, and perhaps also their form, if they wish to be legally recognised bodies. But to deny to the Malayan labour movement the right to central and district groupings of some sort would be a very dubious proceeding. This movement has contacts which enable it to make itself heard in London and in the House of Commons, and we shall shortly see in Malaya an international trade-union delegation headed by the chief of the International Section of the British Trade Union Congress. Government in Malaya is not a law unto itself, and whatever is done with regard to trade-union organisation in this country will be closely scrutinised by the British T. U. C. and the British Labour Government. The root of the trouble in Malaya is not the federations of trade unions at all, but the Communist Party, which is using the federations for its own ends, and it is worth noting that the M. C. P. can expect no sympathy from the Labour Party or trade-union movement in Great Britain, both of which are just as hostile to Communist penetration as the most conservative elements in Malaya.

The Straits Times, 30 March 1947, Page 2 CLIFFORD PEER TURNS HIS SPOTLIGHT ON MALAYA (Extract) On his way to Britain on leave after an eventful year’s work in one of the key Government jobs in the Peninsula is MR JOHN JEFF, who following more than 20 years in the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs has been the Malayan Union’s Commissioner of Labour for the past twelve months. Few officers in the country possess so thorough a knowledge of Malayan labour problems, particularly those affecting Chinese and Mr. Jeff is also an authority on the history and development of the Chinese Protectorate in Malaya. Mr. Jeff returned to Malaya last year after recuperation leave to find that the Secretariat of Chinese Affairs, of which he had been Assistant Secretary before the war, had been subjected to considerable changes in accordance with the Government’s new policy. Protectorates Go It had been decided that the Chinese Protectorates in the various States and Settlements should be abolished and many of their executive functions divided between the Labour Department and the new Department of Social Welfare. While the main work of the Department of Chinese Affairs, as now constituted, consists of keeping in touch, through trained observers, with all aspects of Chinese social and political life which are important to the Government, the Labour Department, concentrates solely on problems affecting workers in Malaya. Mr. Jeff became the Union’s first Commissioner for Labour and since his return has had to deal with a series of difficult problems which will continue to exist until trade unionism is established, accepted, and understood by all its members. Dispute Settler It was Mr. Jeff who was mainly responsible for bringing the dispute between the Malayan Collieries and its employees to arbitration and final agreement. He spent many hours with the Collieries workers’ trade union discussing points they had raised. Before the war, he played a leading part in negotiations connected with several big strikes in Singapore. Plans For A Book For many years, John Jeff was engaged in collecting notes for a book—a history of the Chinese Secretariat from its foundation in 1877, when its main purpose was to protect indentured Chinese immigrant labourers from exploitation by passage agents and by unscrupulous employers. Mr. Jeff gathered information from many sources, including the detailed records of the Secretariat itself, but he lost all his notes during the Japanese occupation. The Secretariat had lost all its files and books in one big Japanese bonfire. The Secretariat possessed a leather folio in the parchment pages of which were written in copper-plate handwriting copies of all letters which originated from the “Protector of Chinese” in the Nineties. Later in the Sime Road camp, sheets from that folio were found by Mr. Jeff and others. They had been used to make the cartons for the locally-manufactured cheroots. The loss of Mr. Jeff’s personal notes is a serious one, for the history of the Protectorate was very largely the history of the progress of the Chinese—both China-born and Straits-born—in Malaya.

The Straits Times, 7 April 1947, Page 7 UTAN SIMPAN LOW COSTS STRESSED Company Reports A CLAIM for $12,000 has been made by Utan Simpan Rubber Co., under a war risk insurance policy for rubber stocks denied and lost to the enemy, and if that amount is recovered in full it will wipe out the debit balance on the profit and loss accounts as at Dec 31. The chairman’s statement to shareholders at the general meeting held in Kuala Lumpur showed that although a small profit had been earned on revenue account that had been swallowed up by expenditure on rehabilitation. A small area of the 1940/41 replanting was destroyed by fire, no rubber was felled during the occupation. Mr. J. H. Clarkson, the chairman observed, adding that the loss of so many valuable buildings, plant, furniture and fittings had been a very serious handicap in tackling the task of rehabilitation. The chairman said it is impossible to forecast a return to the dividend paying stage. However as the capital cost per acre of the property is exceptionally low and once real profits are again being earned, they need not be so very large per acre to enable the Board to pay a reasonable dividend and yet put something aside to rebuild the liquid cash position. He said that illicit tapping and theft and illicit buying of lower grades had been a common occurrence throughout the country since the reoccupation and had caused much concern to estate managements.

The Straits Times 22 April 1947, Page 2 MALAYAN COLLIERIES LIMITED Lost Share Certificates Application having been made to the Directors of the Company to issue to the following shareholders duplicate certificates to replace original certificates stated to have been lost or destroyed. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that if within 30 days from the date hereof no claim or representation is made to the Directors they will proceed with these applications for duplicate certificates and the lost certificates will be regarded as having been cancelled, viz: Name of Shareholder No. of No. of Distinctive Nos. Cert Shares 1. United Engineers Ltd. 2506/2515 10,000 2255621-2265620 2. CG. S. Miller 1223/1225 3,000 1585101-1588100 3. A. Robertson 2430 500 3309711-3310210 4. Mrs. A. H. T. Sproule 1639 660 2037521-2038180 5. Mrs. E. B. Cobbett 2964 500 2120351-2120850 6. H. H. Fenton 2255 1,000 515181-516180 Kuala Lumpur By Order of the Board 1st April, 1947 J. A. RUSSELL & CO., LTD., Secretaries.

The Straits Times, 26 April 1947, Page 1 Union Will Mine All Own Coal From Our Staff Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Friday. The Batu Arang coal mines should easily be able to supply enough coal for all Malayan Union needs from July 1. Malayan Collieries, Ltd., estimate that the output from the mines will increase from 18,000 tons in May to 27,000 tons in October, November and December. This information is given in a circular issued by the company. It is their first statement since the coal workers returned from their weeks-old strike. In order to assist resumption of work by dredges, says the circular, the essential services have agreed to scale down their demand for Malayan coal and to make up their requirements with imported coal. Total Output The position will be subject to monthly review, but the reduced demand by essential services will be 12,000 tons for the month of May. It is anticipated that the Electricity Department will not require coal after the month of June. This will reduce the demand of essential services still further. The circular has been issued to all the company’s coal consumers. They are told that it will not be the company’s intention to increase the present selling price of $18 a ton, although the price is actually lower than the present cost of production. The estimated total output from Batu Arang from May to December is given as 18,000 tons in May, 21,000 in June, 22,000 in July, 24,000 in August, 25,000 in September and 27,000 in each of October, November and December.

The Straits Times, 20 May 1947, Page 6 No. A976. S. T. WANTED Civil Engineer experienced in erection and maintenance of Artesian quarters, Labourers Lines, Sanitation, Water Supply and road making. Good salary and quarters offered. Apply: --Malayan Collieries Ltd. Batu Arang, Selangor.

The Straits Times, 28 May 1947, Page 2 MALAYAN COLLIERIES LIMITED Lost Share Certificates Application having been made to the Directors of the Company to issue to the following shareholders duplicate certificates to replace original certificates stated to have been lost or destroyed. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that if within 30 days from the date hereof no claim or representation is made to the Directors they will proceed with these applications for duplicate certificates and the lost certificates will be regarded as having been cancelled, viz: Name of Shareholder No. of No. of Distinctive Nos. Cert Shares 1. Malayan Securities Trust Ltd. 2766 1,000 1277361-1278360 2. The Fife Trust Limited 2517 1,000 1565271-1566270 2518 1,000 604181-605180 1330/33 10,000 1723811-1733810 3. Gerald George Wood 626 500 886871-8870 4. Chan Seng Po 2475 1,000 2448961-2449960 5. Duncan Roberts Ltd. 3091 1,000 1907381-1908380 6. John Herbert Rich 957/9 2,330 1273031-1275360 Kuala Lumpur By Order of the Board 26th May, 1947 J. A. RUSSELL & CO., LTD., Secretaries.

The Straits Times, 11 June 1947, Page 2 (TRADING WITH THE ENEMY ORDINANCE NO. 22-1938) CUSTODIAN OF PROPERTY PROCLAMATION NO. 14 OF 1946 NOTICE us hereby given that any person or persons having claim to the property described in the schedule hereto are requested to forward such claims to the Assistant Custodian of Enemy Property, Selangor. No. 1, Clarke Street, Kuala Lumpur, not later than noon, 27th. June, 1947. After the date last mentioned no claims will be entertained and disposal will be effected by the undersigned: - 38832 KD15E. At Malayan Collieries Ltd., B. Arang Item 1. One Lighting Set, 10 KW 110 volts, Motor No. 20928. Maker Laurence Scott and Electro Motors Norwick. Sissor and Co., Gloucester.

The Straits Times, 30 June 1947, Page 2 & The Straits Times, 2 July 1947, Page 3 MALAYAN COLLIERIES LIMITED COAL COAL is now being produced In excess of demand. BRICKS BRICKS are now available ex Stock. ROOFING TILES ROOFING TILES are still sold Ahead but orders will be dealt With in order of receipt. ENQUIRIES For COAL, BRICKS & TILES are invited by: - J. A. RUSSELL & CO., LTD. Agents & Secretaries, MALAYAN COLLIERIES LTD. KUALA LUMPUR.

The Straits Times, 5 July 1947, Page 2, REUTER Labour Conference GENEVA. Friday— Mr. W. Gemmill, South African employers' delegate, told the 30th International Labour Conference here yesterday African workers in South Africa gold mines were "far too uneducated in the European sense" for trade unionism. (Article only available to read in Library)

The Straits Times, 23 July 1947, Page 5 TIN NEEDS ESTIMATED AT $70 MILLION Malayan Union Report On Industry From Our Staff Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Tuesday. IT was estimated in the early days of the liberation that it would cost between $70,000,000 and $75,000,000 to rehabilitate the tin industry to a productive capacity of 74,000 tons per annum. This statement is made in the official report reviewing the work in the Malayan Union from April to December last year. The industry has not only had to meet labour difficulties similar to those of rubber, but is also being hampered by delays in machinery deliveries, and in the third quarter of last year by a shortage of fuel due to the output of Malayan collieries falling to about 33 1/3 per cent. of the pre-war level and to the general world coal supply position. The only item on the credit side, says the report, is that the low output under the Japanese regime has saved the tin fields from the intensity of operation which took place during the was in Bolivia, and the life has been correspondingly extended. As far as could be ascertained, says the report, the Japanese produced in 1942 a total of 21,857 long tons of tin ore, in 1943 36,161 tons, in 1944 12,917 tons and in 1945 4,329 tons. Referring to coal, the report says that new machinery designed to raise production to 2,500 tons per day, as against the pre-war 1,900—1,950 tons per day, and estimated to cost $3,000,000, has been ordered for use in Malayan Collieries, but that it is unlikely to be fully installed until 1949.

The Straits Times, 20 November 1947, Page 2 MALAYAN COLLIERIES LIMITED Lost Share Certificates Application having been made to the Directors of the Company to issue to the following shareholders duplicate certificates to replace original certificates stated to have been lost or destroyed. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that if within 30 days from the date hereof no claim or representation is made to the Directors they will proceed with these applications for duplicate certificates and the lost certificates will be regarded as having been cancelled, viz: Name of Shareholder No. of No. of Distinctive Nos. Cert Shares John Scott Anderson, decd. 2847 500 1722811-1723310 500 2414461-2414960 3095 1,000 1050821-1051820 Matthew Arnold Francis, decd. 1405 1,000 1808931-1809930 1406 1,000 1809931-1810930 William Arthur Kimpster 1385 1,000 1793251-1794250 1386 1,000 1794251-1795250 Mrs. Emma Doreen Paterson 1398 500 1803431-1804430 1399 500 1803931-1804430 Kuala Lumpur By Order of the Board 17th November, 1947 J. A. RUSSELL & CO., LTD., Secretaries.

The Straits Times, 29 November 1947, Page 7
 PLANTERS WILL ADJUST ANOMALIES. Employees' Pay To Be Investigated. From Our Staff Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Friday. ADJUSTMENT of anomalies in the form of wide differences in pay and conditions of employment among estates will be one of the first objects of the newly formed Malayan Planting Industries Employers' Association. Announcing this at this morning’s general meeting of the association, the president, Mr. G. D. A. Fletcher, warned that the work would demand considerable patience and goodwill, both within the association and from employees’ representatives, before a basic policy could be formulated. (Summary: define workable policy to ensure industrial peace, association should be prepared to negotiate with any body fully representative of plantation workers. Trade union advisor asked to help educate trade unionists in collective bargaining, shortage of cheap rice unsettling factor, higher wages go into black market, Government should obtain more equitable share of available world’s supply of rice, costs higher than pre war levels but commodity values shown no significant increase over 1941, economic limit to which industries can go in paying employees. Planting industries worried about high taxation. Every member of association must follow all instructions and directives, otherwise structure of association in danger. Members must abide by decisions made in council. Officers bearers elected include for Council, J. H. Clarkson.) (558 words)

The Straits Times, 2 December 1947, Page 5 $7,000,000 CLAIM BY COLLIERIES $135,431 Loss Over Year’s Working From Our Staff Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Monday. Claims totalling more than $7,000,000 were submitted to the War Damage Claims Commission by Malayan Collieries, Ltd., Malaya’s biggest coal-mining concern. This is stated in the annual report to be presented at the meeting next Monday when the shareholders will be asked to sanction the payment of $20,000 as director’s fees and $30,000 as a final contribution to the staff compassionate war allowance. The debit balance at the end of the year’s working on June 30, was $85,431 and with the $50,000 in fees and war allowance will mean a loss of $135,431 to be carried forward. The production of saleable coal for the year was 195,000 tons. In May, Government ceased to control the distribution of coal and by the end of the year the rate of production was equivalent to consumers’ requirements, states the General Manager, Mr. J. W. Elliot, in his report. Mr. Elliot added, “Much improvement will be required before the mine will have sufficient reserves of easily won coal to ensure regular supplies in spite of breakdown of plant or disaster in any particular mine.” The directors’ report says that considerable capital expenditure was authorised largely upon underground mining equipment, and was covered by a rehabilitation loan from Government. Machinery on order had started to arrive by the end of the year. Relations With Labour Dealing with the eight-week strike at the mine early this year the General Manager states “while the award (of an arbitration board) did not increase the rates of wages of labourers, the performance of labourers paid on piece work necessitated a revision in rates. “By the end of the year, the wages earned by the bulk of the company’s employees had considerably increased as had the rate of production per person. “Through constant negotiations and collaboration between the company and the trade union leaders a better understanding of both sides difficulties was developed and by the end of the year, the relationship between management and labour could be regarded as good.”


The Straits Times, 9 December 1947, Page 7 MALAYA’S COAL SURPLUS Possible Export By Collieries From Our Staff Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Monday. Coal in Batu Arang is being produced in excess of Malayan requirements and consideration is being given to meeting the export market, declared Mr. J. Drysdale, the Chairman, at the annual meeting of Malayan Collieries, Ltd. Mr. Drysdale said that “with active encouragement from the Government,” the company was in touch with the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers Ltd., with a view to establishing a cement industry in Malaya. Touching on the imposition of income tax by decree, Mr. Drysdale commented: “The company’s ability to repay out of future profits, the monies borrowed for rehabilitation will be proportionately impaired unless appropriate relief is granted.” Under the industrial rehabilitation loan scheme, he said, the Government had lent the company $4,700,000 to be repaid in ten annual instalments starting from 1950, with interest at three per cent. All war claim awards, together with interest, were to be set against the loan, Mr. Drysdale said. He added that half of any dividend in excess of ten per cent. per year would be devoted to more rapid repayment. The amount spent so far on the loan account, including the equipment supplied through the Crown Agents, was about $2,000,000, although further equipment, valued at $2,000,000, was on order. Mr. Drysdale went on to say that as the result of various wage increases and other causes, the then uneconomic price of coal was increased to $18 per ton as from January 1, but, owing to the low coal output and labour trouble and, particularly, to the strike at the mine which lasted nearly eight weeks, the cost of production rose above this figure and, for a time, coal was being sold at a loss. Price Increased “The directors,” said Mr. Drysdale, “considered increasing the price further, but decided to take the longer view and to await improved production and reduced costs with the expectation that the difference would be recouped later. “That view was justified but the loss involved, together with the effects of the difficulties referred to, had an adverse effect on the financial outcome of the year. “Unfortunately, in the current financial year, production costs have again risen, due largely to wage increases following the recommendations of the Wages Commission, and the price of coal has had to be increased to $20.50 as from Nov. 17.” As regards the future, went on Mr. Drysdale, it was the policy of the Board to provide coal to the country at a reasonable cost which was designed to give only a reasonable margin of profit and not to follow the price of imported (coal). By the end of the financial year, all consumers requirements were being met, although some of the company’s old and valued customers had converted their firing equipment to burn oil or wood. Coal, had since been produced in excess of requirements and consideration given to meeting the export market, he said. Future Capacity “Economically,” said Mr. Drysdale, “it is wrong to import coal into a country which is looking for an export outlet for its surplus coal production, but this is a temporary position created by the recent coal shortage and will, no doubt, right itself as consumers regain confidence in the local supply.”

The Straits Times, 19 December 1947 NOTICE Custodian of Property Proclamation No. 14 of 1945 NOTICE us hereby given that any person or persons having claim to the property described in the Schedule hereto are requested to forward such claims to the relative officer below indicated not later than noon 7th January 1948. After the date last mentioned no claim will be entertained and disposal will be effected by the undersigned:- Items 19…55 Custodian of Enemy Property Selangor, K.L. SCHEDULE AT MALAYAN COLLIERIES, BATU ARANG Item 19. One A.C. Motor 1.25 h.p. No. 153564 Item 20. One A.C. Motor 60 h.p. No. 020467 Item 21. One A.C. Motor 150 h.p. No. 26432 Item 22. One A.C. Motor 50 h.p. No. WS.31230/L Item 23. One A.C. Motor 150 h.p. No. 182B2320 Item 24. One A.C. Motor 150 h.p. No. 182B2315 Item 25. One A.C. Motor 10 h.p. No. 282B2318 Item 26. One A.C. Motor 60 h.p. No. 15021437 Item 27. One A.C. Transformer 700 K. V. A. No. 23218 Item 28. One A.C. Transformer 500 K. V. A. No. 68819 Item 29. One A.C. Motor 20 h.p. No. 144931 Item 30. One A.C. Transformer 110 K. V. A. No. T145583 Item 31. One A.C. Motor 75 h.p. Make Westinghouse. Item 32. One Transformer 75 K. V. A. No. T227065

The Straits Times, 23 December 1947, Page 7
 • KUALA LUMPUR RUBBER PLEA • KUALA LUMPUR, Monday. • The rubber industry's claims for preferential treatment under the new Income Tax Ordinance were urged by Mr. J. H. Clarkson, chairman of Amalgamated Malay Estates, Ltd. in his address at the 27th annual meeting of the company held today. Mr. Clarkson said: “Quite apart from the already heavy burden of existing taxation, there is no lack of evidence that a rubber tree is a wasting asset and provision for a corresponding relief must be made in the income tax legislation if it is to lay any claim to approach the category of affair tax.” (103 words)

Illegible fragment of title date possibly 1948

Perhaps the most serious strike which occurred in Selangor was that (of) the workers of Malayan Collieries Ltd., at Batu Arang. Dissatisfaction had originally been caused by the dismissal of 300 men who had been found surplus to requirements and who, moreover, claimed that they had not been paid their wages for the last ten days on which they had worked. Settlement of this matter had been rendered difficult by their insisting on payment not only of their wages but of damages, in addition, for delay in payment. Further ill-feeling had been created as the result of the Company’s request to the Colliery Workers’ Union to vacate premises which they had been occupying without permission. Alternative premises were offered together with the transport necessary to carry out the move to these premises. During the move, however, one of the dismissed men struck a police sergeant and was arrested. The union demanded that this man should be released immediately and when the Company replied that the matter was not one which they could decide the Union on the 17th January presented the Company with the following twelve demands to be conceded within 48 hours failing which a strike would be called. 1. That the existing system of giving 24 hours’ notice of termination of services by either side be changed to one whereby one month’s notice would be given by either side. 2. That a rehabilitation grant and back pay be paid as was done by Government to its employees. 3. That the Company be responsible for repairing the workers’ quarters including water supply and lighting arrangements. 4. That the Company provide more medical attention for sick workers and make full payment to them during illness. 5. That the Company immediately pay back the eight days’ wages due to the workers before it withdrew from Batu Arang on the 5th January, 1942. 6. That the Company pay compensation for the loss incurred by the 300 workers who were paid off in November, 1946. 7. That the Company pay allowances for “changkols”, buckets and other implements similar to those paid to the workers up to 1941. 8. That the Company provide the Union with suitable premises in the town area. 9. That the Company guarantee not to reduce wages in future or to pay off workers without adequate reasons. 10. That the Company take an interest in the education of the children at Batu Arang. 11. That the Company adopt a 48 hour week, all work done beyond the 48 hours being regarded as overtime and paid for at double rates. Annual leave and public holidays to be granted with full pay. 12. That the man arrested by the police be released immediately and unconditionally. The Company replied that it was willing to discuss all demands with the view to negotiating a settlement but it could not agree to any demands made under threat of a strike. On the 18th January the strike was called. During the next two weeks unsuccessful attempts were made to bring about a settlement and finally arbitration was suggested. This was accepted by the Company but the Union insisted on the immediate granting of some of their demands and the submission of only the remainder to arbitration. On the 9th February, however, they agreed to arbitration on all points in dispute but they made their agreement conditional on their not being bound by the award. Thereupon the Company made their acceptance subject to the same condition. The Board of Arbitration consisted of a Supreme Court Judge as Chairman, two nominees of the Company and the Chairman and Secretary of the Pan-Malayan Trade Union Congress, nominees of the Union. The final demands were those set out earlier except that the last was withdrawn and a demand for strike pay was added. The Board held its first meeting on the 13th February and made its award on the 27th. Briefly stated, the award gave the workers better conditions with regard to sick pay, an eight hour day, over-time and paid holidays. On the questions of notice, repairs to quarters, the provision of water supplies and lighting, allowances for the provision of working implements and the education of workers’ children, the Board considered that the Company’s attitude had been reasonable and the measures it had taken adequate. All that remained to be done was the securing of the services of a resident medical officer, which the Company had been endeavouring to do for some time. When it succeeded, the Board stated “the Residents at Batu Arang would at no expense to themselves, enjoy medical facilities equal to those provided in large towns.” No award was made on the demand for payment of wages in respect of work alleged to have been done during the eight days prior to the 5th January, 1942. With regard to the demand for compensation to the 300 workmen paid off in November. 1946, the Board awarded 195 men 10 days’ wages each. The demands for a rehabilitation grant, back pay, a guarantee that wages would not be reduced in the future and for strike pay during the period of strike we rejected. On the question of accommodation for the Union, the Board considered that the premises then being occupied should be evacuated forthwith and that the Union would be well advised to accept the alternative accommodation offered by the Company. The Board took the Union to task for its attitude on a number of matters concerned in the dispute. It pointed out that the Company had, before the strike, been willing to submit all points to arbitration but the Union had declined to do so. It reminded the Union that the way in which it had called the strike, on a show of hands, offended against the provisions of the Trade Unions Enactment which provides that all decisions shall be taken by secret ballot. This rule, the Board pointed out, must be included in the rules of every registered Trade Union but in the case of the Colliery Workers’ Union it appeared to be only applicable to the election of officials of the Union. It was remarked that the Union’s representatives had referred to the squatters at Batu Arang as “members” and as “workers for the Company” and had made their living conditions a major matter in their case. The attention of the Union leaders was drawn to their folly in calling the sanitary gangs out on strike thereby endangering their own and their families’ health and securing no advantage. With regard to 1942 wages, the Board pointed out that although the Union had demanded their immediate payment it had never provided the Company with a list of the labourers concerned and even after the Board itself had asked for the list it was only produced at the conclusion of the hearing when the Company had no opportunity to cross-examine any witnesses to test its accuracy or to call rebutting evidence. Recalling that the Company had provided the Union with a building for its headquarters and likewise electric current and water free of charge, the Board expressed surprise at finding that this generous and unusual gesture on the part of the Company had been made the basis of a demand to be complied with within 24 hours failing which the Union would call a strike. The demand for a guarantee that wages would not be reduced in the future was described as “utterly unreasonable” and the demand for strike pay as an astonishing one which the Company was advised to ignore. The Company was commended for its patience in usually waiting until a labourer had been guilty of misconduct on two or three occasions, and even then giving him 10 days’ notice, before dismissing him; for the $72,000 it spent on repairs to quarters during the latter half of 1946; for the medical and other services it provided and for the practical interest it took in the education of the workers’ children. On the 2nd and 4th March prolonged discussions took place between representatives of the Company and of the Union on matters arising out of the Arbitration Board’s award. Final agreement between the two parties was reached on the 7th March. The men started returning to work on the morning of the 10th and the great bulk of the

(Ed. Rest of text missing) From National Archives of Malaysia. Divisional Office of Selangor (102/1948). Transcribed by P.C

J. A. Russell and Co. Ltd. News and other Sources 1947