Dearie:Russell Family History

The Straits Times, 16 January 1951, Page 8 FRASER’S HILL TOWN BOARD RAUB, Sun. – Unofficial members of the Fraser’s Hill Town Board are: Mr. L. A. Crozier, Mr. J. Drysdale, Mr. G. C. Gordon Wilson, Mr. W. L. Cuscaden, Mr. D. V. McKenzie, Major N. P. G. O’neal, Mrs. D. P. Garuth and Mrs. M. L. Grondhout. Officials are:- District Officer Raub, (chairman), Health Officer, West Pahang, Executive Engineer, Raub, O.C.D.P., Raub, District Officer, Ulu Selangor.

The Singapore Free Press, 17 January 1951, Page 1, The Singapore Free Press, 17 January 1951, Page 1, 70 bandits derail train: police die. F.P. Staff Correspondent. KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. • A MALAYAN collieries train was attacked and derailed by 70 bandits yesterday in the Rawang district of Selangor. Two special constables were killed and six others wounded. A police party which investigated the shooting found a bandit camp nearby.

The Straits Times, 18 January 1951, Page 10 COLLIERIES’ COAL OUTPUT MALAYAN Collieries announce that in the last quarter of 1950 coal production amounted to: October 36,584. November 31,797 and December 32, 791 tons.

The Straits Times, 18 January 1951, Page 1 Reds Hurl Torches From Our Staff Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. BANDITS yesterday hurled flaming torches of dry twigs and lallang, doused with petrol and kerosene, down a bankside in the Rawang district of Selangor on to a derailed Malayan Collieries train. The train was attacked by about 70 bandits while on its way to a timber concession. Two special constable guards were killed and six wounded.

The Straits Times, 16 February 1951, Page 6 SITUATIONS VACANT JUNIOR CLERKS Chinese required for Accounts and Records Departments, quick and accurate at figures. Salary on probation $85/- gross. Permanent position if satisfactory commencing salary $104/- gross. Free quarters and light. Provident Fund, Annual Increments. Apply in own handwriting with copies of testimonials to Malayan Collieries Limited, Batu Arang.

The Straits Times, 21 March 1951, Page 2 Mine Can't Meet Coal Demand From Our Staff Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Friday. MONTHLY output of coal from Malayan Collieries is 10,000 tons short of the demand to meet current requirements in Malaya; said the chairman of directors, Mr. J. Drysdale, in Kuala Lumpur today. “The whole position is that the demand has increased beyond our capacity to produce and it will continue to do so,” said Mr. Drysdale. “We have reached the limit of output and, as a result, all our orders are not being met.” He said that the collieries biggest problem was getting extra labour to supplement their 2,400 employees. “We have asked government to help try and obtain more men,” said Mr Drysdale “and we hope the position will improve in the future.” There was work available for several hundred more labourers if only they could be recruited. ‘Some have gone’ It was wrong, he said, to give the impression that a lot of people had left the collieries although he agreed to few had gone, no doubt to get better wages in the present rubber boom. None, however of these were men from the coalface who actually produced the coal. Development of the collieries underground workings had been behind schedule again owing to the shortage of labour. Many tin mines used tremendous amounts of coal and with their post-war developments they now required more

The Straits Times, 21 March 1951, Page 2 NOTICES MALAYAN COLLIERIES LTD. NOTICE is hereby given that the Share Register will be closed from 4th April to 11th April, both days inclusive. Letters of Entitlement to the forthcoming Issue of shares by MALAYAN CEMENT LIMITED will, in due course, be sent to Shareholders whose names appear on the Register as at 4th April, 1951. MALAYAN COLLIERIES LTD., J. A. Russell & Co., Ltd., Agents & Secretaries. Kuala Lumpur, 21st March, 1951

The Straits Times, 24 March 1951, Page 2 MALAYAN COLLIERIES LIMITED Lost Share Certificates Application having been made to the Directors of the Company to issue to the following shareholders 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 Cert. No. No. of Shares Distinctive Nos. Marcus Beauchamp Johnson 20 100 of $10 each 110959/111058 Louis John Butler-Madden 4565 100 of $10 each 179541/179640 Deceased - do - 4566 20 of $10 each 174875/174894 - do - “ 20 of $10 each 298657/298676 - do - “ 60 of $10 each 280441/280500 - do - 9221 66 of $10 each 341889/341954 Kuala Lumpur 20th March, 1951 J. A. RUSSELL & CO.LTD., Secretaries

The Straits Times, 26 March 1951, Page 6 DETAILS OF MALAYAN CEMENT SHARES WITH the approach of the Easter Holidays, the Singapore Share Market was quiet through-out the four and a half day's trading. In the main Tin shares eased slightly, Rubbers was steady and Industrials firm Malayan Collieries Ltd. have forwarded to shareholders a Preliminary Notice of Issue of Shares in Malayan Cement Ltd. The latter company has now been formed and registered in the Federation of Malaya with an authorised capital of 10,000,000 shares of $1 each, and of this 8,850,000 shares are to be issued in the near future. The Associated Portland cement Manufacturers Ltd. or one of its subsidiary companies will subscribe in cash for 4,513,500 Management shares at par, and in consideration of exploratory work and undertakings Malayan Collieries Ltd. is being allotted 442,500 fully-paid Founder shares. Equal Underwriting After deducting Ordinary shares taken by the Subscribers to the Memorandum the remainder of the proposed issue, viz., 3,893,993 Ordinary shares has been underwritten equally by the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers Ltd. and the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. Of these shares 460,593 are being placed privately and the balance, viz., 3,433,400 will be offered at par to shareholders on April 4, 1951 of Malayan Collieries in the ratio of one for one. The prospectus of Malayan Cement Ltd. will be issued shortly together with Form for the Acceptance or Renunciation of the Rights to the above issue to Malayan Collieries Shareholders, and any holder not wishing to take up all or any of his Rights may sign the Form of Renunciation and offer them for sale in the Singapore or Federation share markets. 25 Cents Per Share Payment on application will be 25 cents per share and the balance of 75 cents per share will be called up in three instalments of 25 cents at intervals of not less than six months. Until the Prospectus is issued details are not available of estimated profits or the time which will necessarily elapse before Malayan Cement is in full production, but there would appear to be greater scope for the manufacture of cement locally and with the backing of Associated Portland Cement and Malayan Collieries the venture must surely be a successful one. Presumably the majority of Malayan Collieries’ shareholders will wish to take up their allocation of shares but to other investors who can afford to wait a little time for capital appreciation and to whom an immediate return by way of dividend is not imperative, the purchase of the Rights if available must be strongly recommended.

The Straits Times, 6 April 1951, Page 6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS MRS. N. BETTS thanks all friends relatives and the staff of Malayan Collieries Ltd., Batu Arang, for their kind expressions of sympathy and assistance rendered in her recent bereavement.

The Straits Times, 7 April 1951, Page 9 PRICE STORM IN A MALAYAN TEA CUP In last week’s Saturday Forum you gave considerable prominence to letter headed “The Price Of Tea: Penang and Germany.” This letter merely went to show how misleading statistics can be unless properly explained, or read by somebody with an understanding of the subject. “Scottish Housewife” of Penang, referring to a recent report in the Straits Times, complained of the high price of Malayan tea in the Federation as compared with “95,004 lbs. of tea, valued at $1 per lb., supplied to Germany from the Federation of Malaya.” In the first place, there are many grades and qualities of tea with wide variations in cost, and tea sold in bulk in large quantities is normally used for blending with other grades. In the case in point, judging by the price, the tea sold to Germany was probably of low grade or quality and would be blended with more expensive teas to produce the finished product. Costs are up Secondly, the cost of producing tea in the Federation has, unfortunately, risen during the past few months, due to the higher cost of materials and services, and there has been a further price increase recently as a result of the very considerable increase in wage rates recently given by the rubber industry, which tea producers in the Federation have been compelled to adopt in order to retain their labour. It is hard is that, while they are forced to increase prices through no fault of their own, tea producers should have to bear unfair criticism although facing the prospect of considerably reduced returns during the present era of prosperity which many others sharing. In conclusion, it is pointed out that the prices of Malayan teas for local consumption still compare favourably with the prices of imported blends. BOH PLANTATIONS LTD Kuala Lumpur.

The Straits Times, 11 April 1951, Page 6 & The Straits Times, 13 April 1951, Page 6 EUROPEAN Storekeeper required to take charge of large Stores. Salary according to experience between $475 and $750. Free accommodation, light, etc. Provident Fund. Six months full pay leave on completion of 3 years service. Single man preferred. Applications in own handwriting with copies of references and testimonials to Malayan Collieries Limited, Batu Arang.

BATU ARANG Hospital requires Junior Hospital Assistant who must be experienced dispenser-dresser or man with Grade 3 certificate. Salary according to experience and qualifications not less than $100 p.m. Provident Fund, annual increments, good prospects for the right man. Applications in own writing with copies of testimonials, certificates, etc. to Hospital, Batu Arang, Selangor. •

The Straits Times, 11 April 1951, Page 4 NEW COMPANY TO MAKE CEMENT IN MALAYA A CEMENT works with 100,000 tons a year capacity will be built by Malayan Cement Ltd., a new $10,000,000 company whose prospectus is issued today. Production is expected to begin early in 1953, local labour being trained by skilled operators sent out from England. The works will be at Rawang (Selangor), where there are quarry sites with first class limestone. The necessary coal shale and clay will come from the Malaysian Collieries’ mine at Batu Arang, 12 miles away by rail. The only raw material not on the spot is gypsum, which will be imported from Australia. Gypsum amounts to about four per cent. of the cement product. The limestone at the site, states the prospectus, is sufficient for 60 years at the rate of 100,000 tons of cement a year, and another deposit is available with sufficient first grade material for a further 80 years. Arrangements are already in hand for the purchase and erection of the plant and equipment, but the estimate of costs, made in June 1950, may have to be increased by 15%, the prospectus warns. The Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers are to be technical supervisors, holding 4,513,500 management shares. A number of founder shares are allotted to Malayan Collieries, fully paid, in reimbursement of services, and 3,433,400 dollar shares are offered to shareholders of Malayan Collieries. This will be Malaya’s first cement works, the prospectus points out. Recent imports of cement have averaged 200,000 tons a year, of which 85,000 tons have been used in the Federation. It is estimated that the return will be about per cent. on the capital. The first big company floatation since the war, the issue is notable also for the influx of United Kingdom capital. In addition to the acquisition of management shares, Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers are underwriting the ordinary shares equally with the Hongkong and Shanghai bank.

The Straits Times, 13 April 1951, Page 4 Fed may import coal from Indonesia From Our Staff Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR, Thursday. The use of coal imported from Indonesia is being seriously considered by tin mines and other consumers in Malaya following the continuing shortage of local coal and the rising cost of firewood. Screen tests made of a hundred weight of Indonesian coal by a tin mining group has shown that the Indonesian coal is of higher quality and is suitable for mines. The price is about twice as high as that produced by the Malayan Collieries, which is around $22.50 a ton at pithead. Popular idea Although the idea of using Indonesian coal is popular, consumers in the central mainland of the Federation are hesitant due to the lack of rail facilities. The Malayan Collieries produce around 33,000 to 36,000 tons a month. Tin mines alone consume about 7000 tons a month in direct consumption. Other large consumers are the Malayan Railways and the Perak River Hydro-Electric Power Co. Ltd. The Federation is short by more than 10,000 tons of coal a month. So far the consumers have been resorting to fuel oil and wood to supplement their allocations.

The Straits Times, 16 April 1951, Page 6 SHARES SAGGED SLIGHTLY UNDER WEEK’S LOAD OF EVENTS From A Market Correspondent The prospectus of Malayan Cement Limited was published last week and shareholders in Malayan Collieries are given until April 26 to take up or dispose of their rights to shares. Production is estimated to start in early 1953, and a purchase of the rights to take up the shares gives the opportunity of participating in a new secondary industry in Malaya which has every prospect of considerable success. (Extract)

The Straits Times, 16 April 1951, Page 4 LETTERS REWARDS FOR SHIRKERS? COMMENTING on call-up dodgers who have fled the country, Mr. J. Drysdale, at a Malayan Association meeting in Kuala Lumpur, stated that, as an incentive to youths called up, Government should formulate some form of service to reward directees after service. Why is it that only shirkers are to be rewarded for doing their duty? For generations Malays have gladly joined up to defend their country, yet nothing has ever been done for them afterwards. If Malays too were to become shirkers, cowards and traitors, would Europeans rush forwards to shower gifts on them? It seems to me that the only reward for Malay loyalty and patriotism is dispossession and poverty. “ABDUL” Johore Bahru

The Straits Times, 19 April 1951, Page 6 Price of tea in lbs. & dollars WHILE we do not wish to prolong a controversy in your columns regarding local tea prices, we feel we must reply to “Scottish Housewife's” letter in last Saturday’s Forum. It carries the inference that local producers selling retail in Malaya are profiteering, regardless of their production costs. We are informed that the export statistics figures as originally published, which were the origin of this correspondence, have now been found to be incorrect, and that amended figures will be published. Such figures in any event represent a nominal f.o.b. average of all grades of tea in bulk-which may not be Highlands tea. They do not represent the price at which tea will ultimately be retailed. They also do not include the cost of packeting, advertising, distribution and retailers’ profit. Packeting costs Because of shortage of raw materials and increased labour costs in the U.K. and elsewhere, the cost of packeting has risen considerably in the last few months. The suggestion that our prices are fixed at just below those of imported teas is refuted by evidence readily available on the market. If “Scottish Housewife” investigates further she will find that our prices are from approximately 40 cents to $1 a pound below those of comparable imported teas. In conclusion, we can assure “Scottish Housewife” that our policy is, and always has been, to regard Malaya as our natural market, in which we sell at a reasonable margin of profit irrespective of imported tea prices. It would not be in our interests to do otherwise, as it is on the goodwill of the public and maintaining our turnover that our business depends. BOH PLANTATIONS LTD. Kuala Lumpur

The Straits Times, 20 April 1951, Page 7 TEA MEN MADE A MISTAKE From our own correspondent. KUALA LUMPUR , Thurs. THE Registrar of Statistics, Mr. H. L. Barnett, Said today that certain export figures of tea last month had been incorrectly given by the exporter. A controversy has been going on for some time in the letter column of the Straits Times between a Penang woman and Boh Plantations, Ltd. No duty on Tea The woman asked why 95,004 lb. of tea were exported from Malaya to Germany last month at $1 a lb., when retail price of Malayan tea in this country was 160 per cent higher. Mr. Barnett said that a correction to the statistics would be made. As there was no duty on the export of tea, the exporter might have used the figure $1 a lb. to avoid long mathematical sums by placing its value at, say one dollar $.17 or $1 .29. A spokesman of Boh Plantations had earlier pointed out that the figure of $1 a lb. did not represent the ultimate retail price of tea.

The Singapore Free Press, 30 April 1951, Page 4 MALAYAN tea-growers should have little reason for dissatisfaction with prices realised for their products at the first auctions following the reopening of the London tea market. At all events, the brokers who handled the business were very satisfied, prices realised being higher than expected and comparing favorably with prices paid for Indian and Ceylon teas. The reason? Malayan growers have considerably improved their manufacture I was told. A feather in the cap for Boh Plantations, from whose Cameron Highlands estate came the 30 chests which represented Malaya in the auction. Four shillings a pound was paid for Malaya’s broken orange pekoe, broken pekoe was sold for 3s. 8 d., BOP fannings for 4s., BP fannings for 3s 9 ¼ d., and dust for 3s. 6 d., the average price of 3s. 9 ½ d., being about equal to that paid for Assam teas.

The Straits Times, 1 May 1951, Page 4 The Singapore Free Press, 1 May 1951, Page 5  BOH TEA $2.60 A LB KUALA LUMPUR. Mon. Boh Plantations Ltd. Today announced that the price of Boh tea is $2.60 a lb. and the price of Tiger tea $2.25 a lb.

The Straits Times, 7 May 1951, Page 6 COUNCIL MOVE CAUSES SHARE MART CAUTION From A Market Correspondent The High Commissioner having informed the Federal Council that “representatives of the rubber and tin industries will be invited to discuss the problem of inflation in the near future”, the Malayan Share market opened the week on a very cautious note. Sellers predominated in both the tin and rubber sections and a dull and easier tendency obtained throughout the period although Industrials remained fairly steady. With regard to the problem of interval inflation, the operative in the primary industries and the small-holder are certainly receiving considerably more for their time and labour and are possibly converting most of this money into consumer goods. This is a natural sequence, but the problem would surely be most fairly answered by the efficient collection of income tax from all classes. About 40 cents In the financial press of this week it has been suggested that action is contemplated by Government along the lines of the Australasian legislation with holding a portion of the proceeds of the wool clip. In the rubber commodity market, the prophecy has been made that the amount to be withheld with rubber at its present price would be in the region of 40 cents per lb, and from press reports was gained the impression that about one third of the proceeds would be demanded, so there is some approximation in the two sources. No suggestion has been given of the rate of retention as affecting tin proceeds but there is no doubt that both share markets have been affected adversely by the rumours. With the manner of the springing of extra rubber duties still fresh in mind there is good reason to fear that Government have in contemplation such a design as described, and that it will implement it despite any protests which planting and mining interests might make. Matter of opinion Whether the placing of enormous funds in the hands of Government for an indefinite period would curb inflation is a matter of opinion. If the withholding scheme was enforced along the above lines the position of a Rubber Company selling at today's price would be roughly as follows: Average realisation all grades per pound $1.80 Export Duty & Cess .29 1.51 Estimated current all in cost on estate where room regrouping is in progress .50 Income Tax .30 Suggested withholding by Govt. .40 .70 Amount remaining to company .31 So that out of $1.80 per lb., Government would receive 99 cents Costs, mainly labour would absorb 50 cents And the company would have the remnant of 31 cents to provide for contingencies and recompense investor, whose savings and enterprise made the creation of the estate possible…..Malayan Cement had business passing at par… and ..Malayan Collieries declined to $1.75…

The Singapore Free Press, 2 July 1951, Page 1, REUTER ‘ILO threatened by dictatorship' GENEVA, Monday. SPEAKING at the concluding session of the International Labour conference, Mr. William Gemmill, South African employer and vice-president of the conference, said that the organisation was being menaced with the "dictatorship of bureaucracy". "This is the worst kind or dictatorship for it means that decisions tend to be dictated by officials. This is becoming more and more true of all United Nations organisations including the United Nations itself.” Mr. Gemmell said he was perturbed by the “bargaining gerrymandering and political lobbying” which went on for the elections of the International Labour Organisation’s Governing Body “A combination of small states can control the election of the governing body today,” he said. Broke Records The 34th International Labour conference ended after breaking all records. During 24 days of work and play 503 delegates and advisors represented 60 countries. 1. Delivered some 195 major speeches in 26 plenary sessions. 2. Adopted conventions guaranteeing equal pay to men and women and minimum wages in agriculture. 3. Approved recommendations on collective bargaining and conciliation and arbitration 4. Held over for next year’s meeting two new conventions on paid holidays for agricultural workers and minimum standards on social security. 5. Admitted Germany and Japan as members. -Reuter

• Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 [Advertisements] The Straits Times, 3 July 1951, Page 6 I &Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 [Advertisements] The Straits Times, 5 July 1951, Page 6  ADS. • Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 [Advertisements] The Straits Times, 6 July 1951, Page 6 ADVERTISEMENTS JUNIOR CLERKS Chinese required for Accounts and Records Departments, quick and accurate at figures. Salary on probation $92.50. Permanent position if satisfactory commencing salary $115 including allowances. Free quarters and light. Provident fund. Annual increments. Apply in own handwriting with copies of testimonials to Malayan Collieries Limited, Batu Arang.

The Straits Times, 11 July 1951, Page 1 THE ALEX JOSEY BROADCASTS ‘Insulting ‘says Malayan Assn. head KUALA LUMPUR, Tues. The question of Mr. Alex Josey's broadcasts on Malayan affairs was “under consideration”, the Member for Home Affairs, Dato Onn bin Ja’afar, told the Straits Times today. Dato Onn would not comment further, but at a meeting of the Malayan Association this evening, it was announced that the Council of the association had sent a strong protest against the tone of the Josey broadcasts to the Federation Government. “A reply was received that fresh instructions regarding the talks had recently been issued”, the report of the Council stated. Meanwhile, at the meeting itself, four of the five main speakers strongly attacked Mr. Josey’s nationalisation broadcast of two weeks ago. ‘Scurrilous’ The president of the association, Mr. W. G. C. Blunn, said: “Mr Josey indulged in some scurrilous and inflammatory statements, gratuitously insulting to certain sections of the community and the accuracy of which, to say the least, is extremely questionable. “The Government cannot reasonably disclaim responsibility for these broadcasts and it would be interesting to know exactly what the underlying purpose of them could be. “The use of a Government-controlled broadcasting system for the dissemination of such dangerous propaganda is open to the strongest objection.” Most Improper Mr. B. J. P. Joaquim said: “Is it proper or likely for Government to sponsor a broadcast and to allow a junior Government servant, whose duty it is to deliver the broadcast, to express his personal views on a very important matter of policy unless these views were in conformity with the views of Government? I would say that it is most improper and it ought to be most unlikely.” Mr. T. R. Marks said: Who is this Josey? Where did he come from? What is he supposed to do? Who is behind him? “I will not discuss the merits or advantages of his talks because there are none. If he is making these talks on his own, then he should be removed. But on the other hand, if he is directed, then it is high time and desirable that the person directing him should be removed. Mr. J. Drysdale said: “It has recently been said that while there is some bad in these broadcasts, there is a great deal of good in them, but I think we should take out the bad completely by removing the broadcast.”

The Straits Times, 14 July 1951, Page 8 Gurkhas to guard mine KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. A BATCH of former Gurkha soldiers arrived at Kuala Lumpur airport this morning for guard duties at Malayan Collieries mine at Batu Arang. They complete a unit of 40 Gurkhas who are employed by Malayan Collieries on security work. Malaysian Collieries are also recruiting more Gurkhas as miners due to the shortage of local labour. The Gurkhas arrived this morning by a Union of Burma Airways Dakota from Rangoon

The Straits Times, 6th August. 1951, Page 2 NOTICES MALAYAN CEMENT, LIMITED (Incorporated in the Federation of Malaya) Notice is hereby given that the statutory meeting of members of the company will be held at the Registered Office of the Company, Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Building, Kuala Lumpur, on Thursday. 14th August 1951 at 11 a.m. for the purpose of receiving and considering the statutory report of the directors as at 30th June 1952 and any matters arising therefrom By Order of the Board J. A. RUSSELL AND CO., LTD. General Managers and Secretaries. Dated 31st July 1951 Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Building Kuala Lumpur, Malaya.

The Straits Times, 6 August 1951, Page 7 Malayan Cement in two years KUALA LUMPUR. Sun. THE Malayan Cement Works in Batu Arang, Selangor, are expected to start production early in 1953, Mr. J Drysdale chairman of Malayan Cement, Ltd., said today. Mr. Drysdale's statement will be tabled at a statutory meeting of the Company on August 14 in Kuala Lumpur. It was intended to go on with the floatation of the company shortly after it was registered in 1950 but with the advent of the Korean War it was felt that the time was not ripe, he said. Work on the site commenced in June and various contracts for civil engineering work and orders for materials had been placed locally. Orders for plant and equipment had been placed in Britain through their associates, the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers, Limited. Govt. assists. With the assistance of the Government, through the Colonial Office, suitable priority had been arranged for the supply of necessary steel. The availability of local supplies would be welcomed by all, as cement in this country is a much needed commodity. The industry Mr. Drysdale added will be an important addition to the economic structure of Malaya.

The Straits Times 13 October 1951, Page 4 100,300 tons of coal produced KUALA LUMPUR. Fri. More than 100,300 tons of coal was produced by Malayan Collieries during the third quarter of this year. Production figures were July, 33,750 tons: Aug. 35, 418 tons: and Sept., 31, 190 tons.

The Straits Times, 2 November 1951, Pages 1& 7  FULL POWERS FOR SIR ROB TO BEAT REDS KUALA LUMPUR, Thursday. The Federation Government today announced details of the new powers which have been conferred on the Director of Operations making him virtual supreme commander in all spheres relating to the Emergency. “Full executive authority in all Emergency matters falling within the sphere of the Federal Government has been delegated to the Director of Operations by the Officer Administering the Government, subject only to the overriding authority of His Excellency, “an official statement said. “The Director of Operations will consequently be responsible for deciding all important questions of policy relating to the Emergency, including those matters which fall within the sphere of the defence branch such as police, Home Guards and civil defence.” The new Director of Operations, Gen. Sir Rob Lockhart, is expected to leave for Malaya next Friday. The statement said that the new arrangements involved some additions to the staff of the Director of Operations, including the appointment of a planning committee of three. They would be a Malayan Civil Service Officer, a police officer and an Army officer, who would be available to study particular problems in consultation with the authorities and Unofficials concerned, both at Federal Headquarters and in other parts of the Federation. Not yet named A Federal Government spokesman said the new arrangements would come into effect immediately. The three officers for the planning committee had not been chosen, but their names would be announced shortly. The spokesmen said that the new powers conferred on the Director of Operations did not mean that the post of Secretary for Defence would disappear. “A staff officer will be appointed to the Director of Operations, who will work closely with the Secretary for Defence,” he said. Asked if the new arrangements would mean that the Commissioner of Police would now come under the Director of Operations, the spokesman said: “As the official statement says that the Director of Operations will be responsible for deciding all important questions of policy relating to the Emergency, including those matters which fall within the sphere of the defence branch, such as police, the position and responsibilities of the Commissioner of Police are not affected by this change.” The granting of powers of supreme commander in the conduct of the Emergency to a new Director of Operations will be discussed at a meeting of the Federation War Council in Kuala Lumpur or next week, the Straits Times understands. Neither the War Council nor the Federation Executive Council was consulted on the new arrangements announced today, although several members of both Councils were at a meeting at King’s House on Oct. 17, when the powers and organisation of the Director of Operations were reviewed. No decisions were taken at that meeting, and today's announcement came as a surprise to many leaders who were present then. The Straits Times also understands that the arrangements announced today are only temporary and that even more sweeping changes will be announced when the new Director of Operations, Gen. Sir Rob Lockhart, arrives in Malaya shortly. It was noted, for example, that's today's announcement made no mention of the Army vis-a-vis the Director of Operations. It is understood that Gen. Lockhart will be given supreme command over all troops, police and Government departments in Malaya over and above that of even the High Commissioner himself. The military and police commanders will remain as advisors. The Straits Times also understands that proposals for reconstituting the War Council will also be discussed next week. Some members of the War Council are opposed to expansion as they feel it will make the council too unwieldy. Some Federal Legislative Councils and community leaders in Kuala Lumpur today expressed surprise over today's Straits Times report that the Director of Operations was to be given overall executive powers to deal with the Emergency. All said: “We thought that was what he had when he came.” Mr. H. H. Facer, president of the United Planting Association of Malaya and a Legislative Councillor said: “It is certainly a satisfactory decision to make. “I hope the Director will not be tied up in the red tape of administration.” Mr. J. Drysdale, a director of Malayan Collieries said: “The Director of Operations should have been given such powers at the outset-in fact I thought he had been.” Mr. J. P. Hannah, a leading European in Perak, welcomed the idea. So many people in Malaya, Mr. Hannah said, considered the Emergency of secondary importance to social and political development. It was a fallacy to say that if everyone in Malaya was adequately fed, housed, educated and self-governed, then there would be no emergency, because the people would then cold shoulder Communism. “The brand of Communism in Malaya today is not aimed at improving the conditions of the people, but at gaining power and nothing else.” In Johore, which is still at serious grips with the bandits, the Federation Government's decision was applauded. One community leader said that the prosecution of the campaign could not become completely effective unless it was conducted by a strong man, as supremo. Another declared that an even greater step forward would be the appointment of a man such as Field Marshall Lord Alexander (now Governor-General of Canada) as High Commissioner and Director of Operations. A leading unofficial in Kuala Lumpur or said: “All the supremos in the world will not do much good if the public will not give their full support.”

The Straits Times, 15 November 1951, Page 2 MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LTD. (Incorporated in the Federation of Malaya) NOTICE OF MEETING. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE Thirty-Third General Meeting of the Members of the Company will be held at the Registered Office of the Company, Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Building, Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, 29th November 1951, at 12.00 noon for the following purposes:- To Receive and Consider the Balance Sheet and Accounts to 30th June, 1951, and the Reports of the Directors and Auditors. To Declare a Dividend for the year ended 30th June, 1951, which, if approved, will be paid on the 29th November, 1951. To Determine Directors’ remuneration for the year ended 30th June, 1951. To Elect Directors in place of those retiring. To appoint Auditors for the ensuing year. To transact any other business of an Annual General Meeting. The Share Register will be closed from Thursday, 22nd November 1951 to Thursday, 29th November 1951, both days inclusive. By Order of the Board J. A. RUSSELL AND CO. LTD. Secretaries Dated 15th November, 1951. Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Building, Kuala Lumpur, Malaya.

The Straits Times, 16 November 1951, Page 7 Gurkhas may mine in Malaya KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. GURKHAS from Burma may be brought in to ease the labour shortage at Malayan Collieries, Batu Arang. Mr. J. Drysdale, in the chairman’s statement to be presented at the annual meeting on November 29, says output per man remained at “a disappointingly low level”. Until the company had more labour it could not play its appropriate part in the development of the economy of Malaya. The Government had given permission to import Gurkha labour from Rangoon but efforts to get the labour had, so far, been unsuccessful.

The Straits Times, 19 November 1951, Page 2 MALAYAN CEMENT LTD. NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS. The first call of 25 cents per share will be made on the 13th December, 1951, payable to the Company’s Bankers not later than the 15th January, 1952. The books of the company will be closed from the 10th December to the 13th December until the call in respect of such shares has been paid. Official notice of the call, giving full particulars as to payment will be forwarded to all registered shareholders on the 13th December, 1951. By Order of the Board J. A. RUSSELL AND CO. LTD. Secretaries Kuala Lumpur 19th November, 1951.

The Straits Times, 26 November 1951, Page 10 Company reports MALAYAN Collieries made a profit of $526,850 for the year to June 30, 1951, and a dividend of 10 per cent is recommended— unchanged from last year’s. Net liquid assets in balance sheet, including the Malayan Cement holding, works out at $1,481,566, or 43 cents per share. No provision is made for in this figure for the balance of rehabilitation loan, against which will be set dividends under the War Damage award of $3,569,323. The price of coal was raised to $22.50 per ton as from March 6, 1951 and to $25 on Oct 17, 1951

The Straits Times, 30 November 1951, Page 5 SHORTAGE HITS COAL OUTPUT KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. Owing to a shortage of skilled labour, the Batu Arang coalmines in Selangor cannot meet the coal requirements of this country, said Mr. J. Drysdale, chairman of Malayan collieries, today. “Until the company has an adequate supply of labour, it cannot play its part in the development of Malaya,” he said at the annual general meeting. “Energetic steps” were being taken to rectify the position, Mr. Drysdale added. He said that Government had given permission to import skilled Gurkha labour from Rangoon but efforts so far had been unsuccessful. Further efforts were now being made through the United Kingdom High Commissioner in New Delhi. Mr. Drysdale also complained about Government's attitude towards the company's requests for a higher controlled coal price. The company's profit for this year was $551,850, compared with $1,088,903 last year. The difference was due to higher production costs without a corresponding increase in the price. To meet the increased building programmes in the country and the shortage of imported building materials, the company increased its production of bricks and tiles. The works were extended by one tile kiln and ancillary equipment but production was cut by labour shortage, he added. The company spent hundred and $128,000 on Emergency measures and another $153,000 on its housing for labourers. Progress has also been made in a scheme to give adult education to workers, Mr Drysdale said.

The Straits Times, 30 November 1951, Page 2 MALAYAN CEMENT. Notice is hereby given that the FIRST General Meeting of the Members of the Company will be held at the Registered Office of the Company, Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Building, Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, 13th December 1951, at 12.00 noon for the following purposes: - To Receive and Consider the Balance Sheet and Accounts to 30th June, 1951, and the Reports of the Directors and Auditors. To Determine Directors’ remuneration for the year ended 30th June, 1951 To appoint Auditors for the ensuing year. To transact any other business of an Annual General Meeting. By Order of the Board J. A. RUSSELL AND CO. LTD. Secretaries Dated 29th November, 1951. Hongkong & Shanghai Bank Building, Kuala Lumpur.

The Straits Times, 3 December 1951, Page 5 PILE WORK AT CEMENT FACTORY KUALA LUMPUR, Sun. CONSTRUCTION of a cement factory at Batu Arang, Selangor, by the newly formed Malayan Cement Limited will begin shortly. Piling work for the machinery and building is almost complete. The works site has been prepared, security measures installed and access roads and rail sidings are now being constructed The first group of 32 permanent quarters for the workers is nearing completion and tenders for staff houses are under consideration. The site for these has already been cleared. A chief construction engineer from the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers in Britain is in charge of all technical developments. Orders for work and materials have been placed locally but the bulk of the plant and equipment have been ordered form Britain. The Malayan Cement Company was formed in June last year with share capital of $10,000,000.

Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 [Advertisements] The Straits Times, 7 December 1951, Page 6  & Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 [Advertisements] The Straits Times, 8 December 1951, Page 6  Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 [Advertisements] The Straits Times, 10 December 1951, Page 6 CLASSIFIED ADS Malayan Collieries, Ltd., Batu Arang, Selangor, requires European Purchasing and Stores Officer. Free housing. Provident Fund. Home Leave Etc. Good salary for right man. Apply in writing in the first instance with full details of experience etc.

• Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 [Advertisements] The Straits Times, 29 December 1951, Page 12  &Page 12 Advertisements Column 1 [Advertisements] The Straits Times, 31 December 1951, Page 12 FOR SALE: 35 cu.ft General Electric Bottle Cooler complete with motor and compressor in running order. Suitable for Restaurant, Club, Coffee Shop, Etc. Available for inspection. Apply Malayan Collieries Ltd., Batu Arang.