Dearie:Russell Family History

The Straits Times, 10 January 1953, Page 1 95 p.c. AGAINST REDS, BUT – People’s fear keeps war going KUALA LUMPUR. Friday. THOUGH 95 per cent. of the people of Malaya were against the Communists, they were afraid to show it, said the High Commissioner, Gen. Sir Gerald Templer, today. "If we can get them to show it, then the shooting war will be finished," he told officials of Malayan Collieries at Batu Arang, Selangor, this afternoon. In a day-long tour of North Selangor, he gave messages of hope to the people of new villages and kampongs. "Things are getting better in Malaya" he told them. At Batu Arang, Sir Gerald said that if the 95 per cent. would say that they were against Communism, "all of them on the same day, then we would get this trouble over in no time Do all you can "We must get the whole Malayan community – Malays, Chinese, Indians and Europeans – behind the Government. "And you must do all you can to help. Tell every man and woman that you meet how important it is." It was he said, tragic that money which would have benefitted the people was being spent on barbed wire and bullets. "Now we have to start all over again to get together the money to do the things in this country that will do good to the hearts and minds of the people." Sir Gerald went on: "If you can influence people to come out boldly and say we don't want Communism then we would get the Emergency over with and get on with our real job" He reminded the audience that by and large the standard of living in Malaya compared favourably with any other country in South-East Asia. "We have a lot to be proud of in Malaya," He said. At the police higher training college in Kuala Kubu Bharu, he saw the buildings of the $3 ½ million dollar project nearing completion, and spoke to a group of cadet A.S.Ps who are undergoing training. "This is going to be a wonderful college," he said. Referring to the "Operation Service", and the reason for it, he told the officers: "You have got to drive home to the people that however good the police are, they can only go half way in co-operation and helpfulness. Public must help "The police are now doing their stuff, but there is not enough emphasis on the part of the public must play. "If we can get the right relationship between the people, and the policemen and the Government clerks, that will be one of the biggest contributions towards ending Communism." He said. At Kampong Sungei Merbau, just south of Tanjong Malim, Sir Gerald saw Malay families who were resettled there after the Tanjong Malim incident last year. To the kampong committee and penghulu he said: "I must congratulate you on the progress you have made. I am very pleased to see this kampong with everyone looking happy and settled." He told the village committee: "You can help end the emergency and hasten the good things by helping me and the Government. "Give information, stop food going to the Communists, have a good Home Guard and do as much as you can to help community projects such as Boy Scouts."

The Straits Times, 23 January 1953, Page 6 Advertisements ASSISTANT Chief Chemist wanted for Rawang Cement Works end February; applicants must have degree in chemistry and industrial experience; accommodation available; good prospects. Apply in writing in first instance with age, qualifications, experience etc. to Malayan Cement Ltd., P. O. Box 245, Kuala Lumpur. •

The Straits Times, 5 March 1953, Page 6 & The Straits Times, 6 March 1953, Page 14 Advertisements MINING Superintendent Malayan Collieries invite applications from Mining Engineers with extensive experience of opencast working. A thorough knowledge of large excavators and heavy mobile earth moving equipment is essential. Contract would be 3/3 ½ years with passages and home leave on completion with renewal if mutually satisfactory. The position is a senior one and carries an attractive salary which will depend upon qualifications and experience of the successful applicant. Apply to the General Manager, Malayan Collieries Ltd., Batu Arang, Selangor.

The Straits Times, 6 March 1953, Page 10 MORE TEA NOW GROWN IN MALAYA Production nearing four million pounds A RECENT suggestion that any commission set up to survey Malaya's natural resources and the development of its agricultural economy should investigate the tea- growing industry, has drawn attention to the fact that the cultivation of tea is coming into its own again in Malaya The cultivation of tea at one time was an important industry in Malaya. Malacca formerly had the best reputation for tea and its produce marketed under the name of chop “ Payong" was the popular brand sold by all shops frequented by tea drinkers. The introduction of rubber sounded the death knell of the industry which had already began to languish soon after coffee failed in the nineties. Today many a rubber estate has supplanted the area where tea bushes flourished before. When rubber slumped to 6d. a pound in the early twenties intensive propaganda was carried out with a view to interesting capitalists to cultivate economic crops and attention was once again directed towards tea cultivation The first large-scale planting of tea began soon after the Cameron Highlands was opened about 1928 for cultivation and early experiments proved that the soil and climatic conditions there were favourable to tea-growing. Today, Boh tea, the produce of Boh Plantations, the first plantation to be established is well known and finds a ready market. An experienced tea planter from Assam, a district in India famous for its tea, was in charge of Boh Plantations and the labour was also recruited from Assam. Since then other tea plantations have been planted in the Camerons. In 1937 Mr. Shum Yip Leong of Kuala Lumpur planted in the Camerons, the Shum Yip Leong tea estates, and his factory now produces Golden Dollar brand tea Steadily growing Other states which have turned to tea-growing are Kedah, Selangor and Perak. Bigia tea is the best known of the Kedah teas and has a good sale in north Malaya. The best known of the Perak teas is from the Changkat Kinding Estate, which was planted by the late Mr J. S. Ferguson. This particular brand of tea has been in good demand in Australia. Mr M. J. Kennaway, the veteran Selangor planter, has been interested in tea- growing on Escot in the Tanjong Malim area. The production of tea has been steadily growing since the liberation. In 1947 local production amounted to 1,242,285 lb. and last year the total had grown to 3,684,158 lb. This increase has been achieved in spite of blister bight disease which made its first appearance in Malaya in 1950 and spread from the plains to estates in the highlands. Exports of Malayan tea have also shown a corresponding increase since 1947. In that year only 108,069 lb. was exported but in 1951 exports totalled 1,726,796 lb. Bright future Malayans who previously drank Ceylon and Indian tea are now showing greater interest in the product and sales in Malaya have grown from 885,012 lb. in 1947 to 1,887,018 lb. in 1951. It is interesting to note that there is a larger acreage under tea in the highlands than in the lowlands but the lowlands produce more tea than the highlands, the respective outputs in 1951 being 1,533,128 lb. from the highlands and 2,157,036 from the lowlands. There is a bright future for tea-growing in Malaya and the indications are that growers realise this as they have already acquired more land which is held in reserve for planting as soon as conditions permit. In the Camerons 4,413 acres are held in reserve for tea planting and 11,958 acres in the lowlands. The Federation still annually imports tea to the value of about $2 million.

The Straits Times, 23 March 1953, Page 2 MALAYAN CEMENT, LIMITED NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE THIRD General Meeting of the Members of the Company will be held at the Registered Office of the Company, Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Building, Kuala Lumpur, on Thursday. 16th April, 1953, at 12.00 noon for the following purposes:- To Receive and Consider the Balance Sheet as at 30th November, 1952 and the Reports of the Directors, General Managers and Auditors. To Determine Directors’ remuneration for the year ended 30th November, 1952. To Appoint Auditors to hold office for the ensuing year. To Transact any other business of an Annual General Meeting. By Order of the Board J. A. RUSSELL AND CO., LIMITED, Secretaries. Dated 23rd March 1953 Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Building, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYA.

The Straits Times, 13 April 1953, Page 6 Advertisements FOREMAN shift and day work WANTED FOR CEMENT WORKS AT RAWANG. Applicant must have had experience in heavy industry. Application in own handwriting with age, education, training, career to Malayan Cement Ltd., P. O. Box 245, Kuala Lumpur.

The Straits Times, 27 April 1953, Page 2 Advertisements CHAP KHUAN SCHOOL BATU ARANG TENDERS are invited for the supply of text books and stationery for the Chap Khuan School Batu Arang (Enrolment between 1000 and 1500). The tenders should be sent to the Schools Supervisor, Malayan Collieries, Ltd., Batu Arang and should reach him not later than Thursday, 30th April, 1953.

The Straits Times, 21 May 1953, Page 12 Advertisements TWO Babcock and Wilcox Boilers (1) Portable type Evaporating Capacity 5,400 Lbs. per hour. (1) Single Drum W. I. F. type, Evaporating Capacity 6,000 Lbs. per hour. One armoured Ford V8 Car in very good condition. Three Aveling Barford 3 ½ Cu. Yds. Dumpers, one in very good condition. Inspection invited. Further details and tender forms from Purchasing Officer, Malayan Collieries, Ltd., Batu Arang. (Phone—Batu Arang 278)

Letter to Tristan Russell from William Gemmell.

Hotel Majestic K.L. Tuesday 26th May 1953. My dear Tris, Enclosed is a note and the proposed arrangements for the transfer of your patrimony. I shall not go into any details or explanations at the moment, but defer them until we can talk about them in Salisbury. Boh, the Cement Works and Kampong Malacca land are all right - the cement Coy will I think be a most successful enterprise, the Collieries look very unsatisfactory, not so much from the working aspect, which is at last on a sound and promising basis but because our chief consumers, the Power Companies, are now going to use heavy oil (diesoline) which has fallen in price far below our coal prices. The railways are thinking of switching also & if they do it will be impossible to run Batu Arang except on a very much reduced scale, with unfortunate financial results not only to the Collieries but to J A R & Coy Colliery section, which pays more for our administration charges, not to say the dividends in the JAR Coys, 530,000 $1 shares in Collieries, which have been 10%. On the other hand the Government cannot allow the only coal producer in the country to abandon a great part of its potential (in case of a hold up in oil supplies) As I see it Govt. cannot object to consumers using the most economical fuel available, but must arrange for Collieries to find it worth while to carry on & keep unused workings in good state. All this has only arisen in the last fortnight & is a worrying & difficult problem. I enclose some photos taken by John Drysdale at the Cement Works on Sunday. There is to be a big opening on July 6th, with 300 guests including Sir Gerald Templar & the Sultan. Drysdale is Chairman of the Company & will make a speech. He will be getting an OBE one of these days! Next week there are to be great Coronation celebrations, Military parades, a reception at Kings House, a huge ball at the Chinese Assembly Hall, a procession of 150 floats including a 100 foot Dragon, and firework displays. The town is going to be illuminated profusely and not much work will be done. If I could have left this Sunday instead of Sunday week I would have done so, but there is no plane service to Cocos Island until the 9th June. Tonight will be the first time I have been in for dinner. Rita Drysdale is most hospitable and takes no end of trouble arranging things for me but it tends to be a case of being killed by kindness! I hope everything is going well with you, and am looking forward very much to your coming out (to Salisbury of course) Much Love Dad P.S. I have sent you two tins of ginger hope they arrive. Jars would be smashed by the Post Office.

The Straits Times, 23 June 1953, Page 2  Advertisements TENDER NOTICE MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LIMITED. BATU ARANG Tenders are invited for the purchase of the following surplus equipment. 1. THREE Air Compressors, Stationary, arranged for belt drive except for prime mover, complete with new and used spares. 2. Considerable quantity of new and used spares for Broomwade Compressor and a large quantity of drilling equipment. 3. THREE Aveling Barford Dumpers 4 ½ C. Yd. Capacity in good condition with quantity of new and used spares. 4. ONE Armoured Ford V-8 Car in excellent condition. 5. Quantity of heavy Engineering Parts approx. 15 Tons. Tender Forms and application to view should be addressed to the undersigned and should be returned to reach this office not later than 6th July, 1953. The Company does not bind itself to accept the highest or any tender. A. E. HERWIN Malayan Collieries, Ltd., Batu Arang

The Straits Times, 4 July 1953, Page 4 MALAYANS WILL GET KEY JOBS IN NEW WORKS KUALA LUMPUR. Fri.— Malaya's first cement factory, to be opened soon at Rawang, 20 miles from Kuala Lumpur, will become a truly national industry. This was stated here today by Mr. G. F. Earle, chairman of Association Portland Cement Manufacturers, Ltd. The factory has cost $10 million. Half the capital was subscribed by Associated Portland Cement and the rest is local capital in Malayan Cement, Ltd. Mr. Earle, who arrived in Malaya yesterday, is here for the opening of the factory. He expects to remain in the country about ten days. “We aim to train as many local people as possible for important positions” Mr. Earle said. ” We believe Malayans are capable of doing the jobs. Key technicians now at Rawang, will teach all they know to local men and then hand over” Positions at the factory would be almost equally divided among Malays, Chinese and Indians. The Rawang factory will produce 100,000 tons of cement yearly, output being stepped up to meet increasing demand. All cement will be for use in Malaya.

The Straits Times, 7 July 1953, Page 7 NEW FACTORY SHOWS FAITH IN US—says Sir Gerald KUALA LUMPUR, Monday. GEN. TEMPLER today described the factory built by Malayan Cement. Ltd., at Rawang, 20 miles from Kuala Lumpur, as "exactly the kind of project this country needs to strengthen and consolidate its economic structure." The factory, which cost $10 million has been financed jointly by Malayan Cement Ltd and the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers Ltd. of Britain. Sir Gerald flew from King’s House by helicopter to declare the factory open. "The decision of a firm of such high international repute as the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers Ltd to invest in this new enterprise, demonstrates the returning confidence of British interests in the economic future of Malaya, he said. “That confidence will in itself do a great deal to contribute to our prosperity. “But it is equally heartening that such a ready response has been met with from local investors who have raised half the capital. “This shows the confidence of the Malayan people in British firms and the willingness of Malayans to take part in schemes from which both countries will profit.” Young Malayans would have the chance to be trained in modern industrial techniques and business methods. Mr. J. Drysdale chairman of Malayan Cement Ltd., said that workers of all races in Malaya had contributed much to building the factory. “Their combined efforts and harmonious working augur well for the future of Malaya and the building of a united Malayan nation in which industries such as this will play a very important part.” The factory would employ about 120 workmen and would produce 100,000 tons of cement yearly.

The Straits Times, 7 July 1953, Page 10 MALAYAN CEMENT NEEDS TO BE MET Much of Malaya's cement needs in future will be supplied from Malaya’s first cement factory at Rawang with an initial output of 1000,000 tons a year. Last year's imports of cement into Malaya were 418,295 tons with Britain and Japan the main suppliers. Exports were 19.392 tons with Sarawak, Siam, Brunei and Indonesia the main buyers To April this year, Malaya's 1953 imports were 117,129 tons with exports at 4,906 tons. In 1951, Japan supplied 175,242 of Malaya's 310.612 tons of cement imports. Exports this year were 14,818 tons. In 1948-50 imports averaged 200,000 tons and pre-war figures were about 216,000 tons. The Rawang works and quarry are near the main railway line and road. Coal and shale will be supplied from the Malayan Collieries at Batu Arang, about 12 miles away. The Rawang River will provide ample water for the factory’s modern wet process. Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers Ltd., of Great Britain, subscribed half the $10 million capital in the factory. The rest is local capital. The chairman of Associated Portland Mr. G. F. Earle, has arrived in Malaya for the opening of the Rawang factory. He said the cement will be for use in Malaya and technicians would train local staff who would then take over.

The Straits Times, 12 July 1953, Page 9 Labour changes JOHORE BAHRU. Sat.— Mr. J. Drysdale, on his return from leave in Britain, has relieved Mr. S. W. C. Dunlop as Deputy Commissioner for Labour, Johore. Mr. Dunlop has been transferred to Singapore.

The Straits Times, 21 July 1953, Page 11 Coal Production Malayan Collieries, Malaya’s only colliery, produced 80,737 tons of coal in the second quarter of this year compared with 75,863 tons in the first quarter.

The Straits Times, 28 July 1953, Page 2 LOST SHARE CERTIFICATES Applications have been made to the Directors of the following Companies to issue duplicate Share 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; Cert. No. of Distinctive Name of Shareholder No. Shares Nos. Malayan Cement Limited (Shares of $1/-each Fully Paid) Hongkong & Shanghai Bank (M) Nominees Ltd. 3869 1000 16008/17007 Malayan Collieries Limited (Shares of $10-each Fully Paid) O. E. Mohamed Sharif 2141 2 287283/287284 By Order of the Board J. A. RUSSELL & CO., LTD., Secretaries.

The Straits Times, 13 August 1953, Page 2 & The Straits Times, 15 August 1953, Page 2 TENDER NOTICE MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LTD., BATU ARANG TENDERS are invited for the following equipment at Batu Arang. 1. TWO new Mather & Platt 140 H.P. Motors, 3 Phase. 50 Cycles. 3,300-V. 24.5. A. 975 R.P.M. Stator connected Star. 2. ONE Motor Generating Set (GEC) 260 H.P. 50 Cycles. 3 Phase. 1,000 R.P.M., 3,300/3,500-V Continuous rating Generator 175 KW. 250 350-V. 500 Amp. Full details and tender forms from Purchasing Officer should be completed and returned not later than 28th August, 1953. The Company does not bind itself to accept the highest or any tender. A. E. HERWIN Malayan Collieries, Ltd., Batu Arang

The Straits Times, 15 August 1953, Page 2 NOTICE MALAYAN CEMENT LTD. have pleasure in announcing that production of “TIGER” BRAND CEMENT at the Rawang works has commenced and consignments are being dispatched to the distributors.

The Straits Times, 1 September 1953, Page 2 TENDER NOTICE MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LTD. BATU ARANG EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT Tenders are invited for the purchase of the following Surplus Earthmoving Equipment:- 1. TWO D-4 Caterpillar Tractors Serial No. 7U.3640 and 7U.5685, with Large quantity of New Spares 2. TWO Aveling Barford S.C. Dumpers, 10 Cu. Yds. c/w Spares 3. ONE 10 RB. Excavator c/w Spares 4. ONE LeTourneau L.P. Scrapper Recently completely overhauled with spares. Full details and permit to inspect with Tender Forms on application to General Manager. Tender must be received not later than September 19th. The Company does not bind itself to accept the highest or any tender. GENERAL MANAGER Malayan Collieries, Ltd., Batu Arang.

The Straits Times, 2 September 1953, Page 2 Humetile Asbestos Sheets were used exclusively for roofing and cladding the new Malayan Cement Factory at Rawang (Extract from advert)

The Straits Times, 29 October 1953, Page 2 Templer fund up to $70,389 KUALA LUMPUR, Wed. Lady Templer declared today that the appeal for $5 million for the Federation Tuberculosis Hospital would give everyone a chance to "strike a decisive blow in the long battle of mankind against this dread disease." The knowledge of tuberculosis obtained in the hospital’s research department, she said, would benefit people all over South-East Asia, not just those in Malaya. "I have been told," she added, "that this is a bad time to ask for money – but tuberculosis does not wait. “I appeal to everyone who possibly can to help us.”

The Straits Times, 24 November 1953, Page 12 MALAYAN COLLIERIES, LIMITED. (Incorporated in the Federation of Malaya) NOTICE OF MEETING. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Thirty-fifth 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 Tuesday, 8th December, 1953 at 12.00 Noon for the following purposes: - 1. To receive and consider the Balance Sheet and Accounts to 30th June, 1953, and the Reports of the Directors and Auditors. 2. To determine Directors’ remuneration for the year ended 30th June, 1953. 3. To elect Directors in place of those retiring 4. To appoint Auditors for the ensuing year 5. To transact any other business of an Annual General Meeting. By Order of the Board J. A. Russell & Co., Limited. Secretaries Kuala Lumpur, 24th November, 1953.

The Straits Times, 7 December 1953, Page 12 MALAYAN COLLIERIES—SINGAPORE COLD STORAGE—ATLAS ICE FOR the year ended June Malayan Collieries made a net profit of $16,770, compared with $331,287 in the preceding year, and no dividend is proposed, compared with 10 per cent. for the preceding year. War damage compensation received was $773,165, rehabilitation loan interest paid in previous years was refunded during the year to the extent of $96,836. $3,383 was received from the sale of surplus assets and $11,900 from the realization of pre-war assets. All these receipts have been taken into profit and loss account to which $290,452 brought forward from 1952 has been added, making the total available at June 30 $1,192,506.

The Straits Times, 7 December 1953, Page 10 Shareholders’ ‘donkey’ I have been a shareholder in Malayan Collieries for many years and the dividends I have received have been small. Having received my annual report, I find that there will be nothing from this investment for me this year, although it is proposed to pay directors $25,000 and considerable sums have been spent on the welfare of the employees. Railways have, once again, secured their coal at the bare cost of production. Only the shareholder has gone short. Malayan directors, employees and Government have travelled very nicely, so far, on the back of the “shareholder donkey” but with no more carrots in view even that stupid animal will soon refuse to put any more money into the country. CHINESE SHAREHOLDER Singapore.

The Straits Times, 7 December 1953, Page 10 Letters Collieries’ poor report SHAREHOLDERS must have been disappointed with the poor report and statement of accounts of Malayan Collieries for the year ended June. The passing of a dividend is understandable but the meager profit-$ 16,000-disclosed is disconcerting and very little is said about future prospects. Now there are further reports of labour dismissals, presumably as an economy measure, which is unfortunate and tragic. This national organisation, hitherto managed efficiently and where labour was treated generously, seems to have fallen on evil days. It is to be hoped that these are purely temporary and of very short duration—the country cannot afford to see this valuable undertaking on which the Government has relied so much in the past deteriorate into an unprofitable venture, after years when its product was sold by Government order at prices well below what imported coal then cost. Strikes, labour shortage, lack of security, terrorist attacks and other troubles have driven profits away and the company now deserves to receive a little more consideration from Government, financial and otherwise. Had Archie Russell lived the company might have steered a more profitable course. SYMAPTHISER Singapore.

The Straits Times, 7 December 1953, Page 10 Ingratitude Malayan Collieries, which in the years after the war accepted price fixing by Government at rates far below imported coal, are learning the hard way that Government give scant consideration to those who have served them well, once a cheaper alternative appears. That is, of course, unless the former benefactors are in a position to bring pressure to start an agitation. The Collieries Board having conducted its business in a manner which was regarded as obligatory among men of standing in the past and having given Government the staunchest support in the Emergency now finds itself ditched in favour of overseas interests and a short-term cheaper costs with a total disregard to longer-term strategic considerations and national economic policy. And if Collieries is to survive it would appear that the Board must adopt the methods of Singapore Unions and threaten to go on strike if Government does not cease its conversion to oil schemes and increase the price of coal to a fair figure. One tithe of the money squandered by that post-war appendage – Department of Information – would permit of justice to be done to an undertaking which has served Malaya faithfully for almost forty years TREAT ‘EM ROUGH Singapore

The Straits Times, 7 December 1953, Page 12 FOR the year ended June Malayan Collieries made a net profit of $16,770, compared with $331,287 in the preceding year, and no dividend is proposed, compared with 10 per cent. for the preceding year. War damage compensation received was $773,165, rehabilitation loan interest paid in previous years was refunded during the year to the extent of $96,836. $3,383 was received from the sale of surplus assets and $11,900 from the realization of pre-war assets. All these receipts have been taken into profit and loss account to which $290,452 brought forward from 1952 has been added, making the total available at June 30 $1,192,506. PRODUCTION The directors have reserved $25,000 for their remuneration and they have transferred $500,000 to general reserve. Development expenditure during the year with written off was $221,859 and $218,487 has been written-off for stores obsolescence. This leaves $227,160 which it is proposed to carry forward. The sale and consumption of coal, bricks and tiles and other mine revenue, including rents brought in $10,189,016, compared with $9,650,536 in the preceding year. Interest and transfer fees received totalled $13,740. In arriving at the profit, $50,000 has been charged for amortisation of mine property and $904,766 for depreciation. The production of saleable coal during the year was 318,882 tons. The directors say that less coal was produced and sold than in any of the several previous years and the financial results suffered accordingly. The directors also say that during part of the year the overall production of coal was not sufficient to meet the full requirements of consumers some of whom turned to alternative suppliers of imported coal which became more readily available. The price of coal was $30 a ton throughout the year and on the lower output and with the continued high cost of labour and materials, this was barely adequate to pay the total mine expenses. The directors say that it is with very much regret that they are unable, in view of the cash position and the continuing trend towards lower coal sales, to recommend payment of a dividend. At the end of the year bank overdraft was $771,332 compared with $983,573 at the end of June 1952, and cash in hand was $17,045 compared with $88,166 at the end of the preceding year. The board consists of Messrs John Drysdale, Chairman, F. H. Atkinson, A. E. Llewellyn, D. T. Waring, F. G. Charlesworth, V. E. Davies (Government nominee) and J. A. D. Morrison who was appointed in October. Mr Morrison is manager of the Hongkong and Shanghai banking Corporation, Singapore. The annual meeting will be held in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow. •

The Straits Times, 9 December 1953, Page 4 Coal industry ‘between the devil and the deep blue sea’ DRYSDALE BLAMES OIL FOR MINE SLUMP KUALA LUMPUR , Tuesday. Mr. John Drysdale, chairman of Malayan Collieries, today criticised the Federation Government for its delay in deciding on a coal policy. Government cooperation, he said, had been sought to ensure the continued use of coal by the railways and the Central Electricity Board, but the Government had not come to a decision after five months. In view of its declared policy of encouraging secondary industries, it was clear that the Government's duty was to find ways of using the full output of Malayan Collieries. Mr Drysdale told shareholders at the company's annual meeting here today that reduced demand for coal from the company’s mine at Batu Arang and the Governments switch-over to oil for railways and power stations had caused a big drop in profits. "In view of the cash position and the continuing trend towards lower sales of coal," said Mr Drysdale, "your directors regret they are unable to recommend a payment of a dividend." A Federation Government spokesman said today in reply to a question by Mr Tan Tuan Boon at the Selangor State Council meeting that the Government was still "considering the whole question of the future of the Malaysian Collieries." [In a written reply the Government said it was in consultation with the company regarding its future and a decision was "expected soon".] Mr Drysdale added at today's meeting: "Malayan coal now finds itself between the devil of local inflation and the deep blue sea of imported oil." He said that oil was available at little more than the 1951 price and the coal industry was unable to compete with those prices. Future prospects "If all consumers change over to oil, there will be no need for coal, the colliery would have to shut down and the company go into liquidation," he said. "Such an expectation is unreasonable and unrealistic. "So far, it seems that the problem has been regarded by the Government on a cold price basis, but there are other considerations. "The colliery has built up a township 2500 employees and about 9,000 residents, all of whom are dependent on the industry for their livelihood. "Already hardships are being experienced as a result of dismissals of men who can no longer be economically employed."

The Straits Times, 9 December 1953, Page 4 Miners are worried, Council told KUALA LUMPUR, Tues. ALLEGATIONS of "strained” employer-employee relations in the Malayan Collieries were made at the Selangor State Council meeting today. Mr. Tan Tuan Boon said that the Colliery Workers Trade Union had complained that the recent sacking of 473 workers at Batu Arang was due to "inconsistent policy" and "lack of foresight" by the company. It caused hardship to the sacked workers and their dependents and left others guessing about their future he said. They were further worried by the reports that 100 more workers would be sacked by the end of the year. A written reply said that the Selangor Government was aware of the labour position at Batu Arang and was watching the situation. The government had not received any complaints from the Colliery Workers Trade Union. The labour strength at the collieries on Nov. 30 was 1,809. The meeting was told that 1,600 Chinese tin mine workers lost their jobs in October. There had been little retrenchment on rubber estates. In fact, there was a slight a shortage of tapping labour in certain areas.

The Straits Times, 14 December 1953, Page 10 MALAYAN COLLIERIES IN ‘SERIOUS POSITION’ COMPETITION FROM OIL The difficulties experienced by Malayan Collieries during last financial year referred to at length by the chairman, Mr. J. Drysdale, at the annual meeting in Kuala Lumpur last Tuesday. Mr. Drysdale said: – "The future prospects of the company depend entirely on the demand for coal and at the moment the outlook is most uncertain. "Fuel oil is available at not much more than the 1941 price with is unable to compete and some of our valued consumers have taken advantage of this, notably the Malayan Railway, which has extended a programme of converting its locomotives from coal to oil burning. "Bluntly the position is that if all consumers changed over to oil there would be no need for coal, the colliery would have to shut down and the company go into liquidation. "That would be a dreadful fate for an important secondary industry and a valuable national asset which has played an important part in the economic structure of Malaya, for about 40 years. Government are consulted "I take this opportunity of stating that a colliery cannot be closed down or put in mothballs and opened at any time to suit a renewed interest in its product. It must be kept going at an economic output which in our case is about 30,000 tons per month. "The economic position was visualised by the directors and after preliminary approaches extending over some months, the matter was referred to Government at the beginning of July this year with the object of obtaining their cooperation in ensuring continuation of the use of coal by the Railways and its use by the Central Electricity Board. "While I appreciate the consideration the matter is receiving from Government, I must express my keen disappointment that after a period of 5 months the directors do not yet know what, if anything Government intends to do. "Reference has been made by Government to the wide difference between the price of coal and oil and a suggestion made that the Colliery should reduce its cost of production and so make coal more competitive. Price controlled “The directors have been perturbed for some time by rising costs in Malaya and have always endeavoured to ensure strict economy and in September 1952 they employed an independent Mining Consultant to examine and report on the company's operations. "Since the liberation, a Government nominee director has been on the Board and has had available to him all the information available to other directors and has been fully aware of the rising costs of production and the increased selling price required to meet them. "I submit, therefore, it is unreasonable to expect to the Colliery now to be able to reduce its price to a figure competitive with the present low priced oil. "The price of coal has been virtually controlled by Government since the liberation and as I stated when addressing you last year, the delays in agreeing appropriate prices resulted in considerable losses to the company. Uphill fight "When the price of oil was relatively higher than coal no one suggested that we should receive a higher price for our coal, but now that the price of oil has dropped to an abnormally low level we are expected to be able to cut costs to compete. "I repeat that such an expectation is unreasonable and in fact, unrealistic. "The company had a very uphill fight during the rehabilitation period and in addition to repairing the ravages of the occupation and overcoming natural difficulties, has suffered considerably over the last three or four years from shortage of labour. "Recently, the production position improved as the result of more labour becoming available and of much hard work on the part of all concerned and the company found itself producing more coal than it could sell with its consumers and potential consumers using imported oil available at a price with which coal cannot compete. Cold price basis "I have previously regretted our past inability to meet all consumers requirements which resulted, in some cases, in their changing over to oil for self protection. "But by and large I am satisfied that over a long period of years coal consumers in Malaya received supplies of cheap coal whilst the Railways and the Electricity Department enjoyed the position of most favoured consumers for much of that time. "So far, it seems to me that the problem has been regarded by Government on a cold price basis that there are other considerations. "The Colliery has built up a township 2,500 employees and about 9,000 residents, all of whom are dependent on the industry for their livelihood and already hardships are being experienced as a result of dismissals of men who can no longer be economically employed." Labour position The Directors are deeply concerned about the labour aspects and the uncertainty facing employees, especially those with many years service. Their future must be clarified as soon as possible "As far as the value of the Colliery to the country is concerned it is only three or four years ago that Government was pressing your company to continue its prospecting programme in order to ascertain more accurately the reserves of coal available at the mine as Government wished to assess these in terms of requirements of consumers particularly the Railways and the C.E.B. "It has always been the company's expectation that the new C.E.B. power station would use coal for at least part of their requirements and it has for long been realised that this outlet would be essential to permit expansion of the colliery operations to their full extent "If the Railway stopped conversion to oil and continue to use coal and the C.E.B. used coal in say three boilers, the very small additional cost per train mile or per unit generated, would not be too much to ask of users throughout the country who for many years have enjoyed the benefits of cheap Malayan coal. "A little contribution of that order towards the economy of the country would enable a very important secondary industry and a national asset to continue in being. Declared policy "It is the declared policy of Government to encourage secondary industries and it seems to me the plain duty of Government to adopt ways and means of utilising the full output of the Colliery to the advantage. "The whole position has been put clearly to Government and the directors hope that they will receive some assurance in reply which will enable them to plan for the continuation of the company and not for its liquidation. "The position is serious and urgent and I trust that no further time will be lost in arriving at a suitable solution of the problem as our finances are in no position to withstand any prolongation of this state of uncertainty."

The Straits Times, 21 December 1953, Page 14  Share market Review. • Malayan Collieries recovered a little with business done at 87 ½ cents, but its associated company Malayan Cement were slightly easier.