§ 59. Mr. SCURRasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the wages paid to the male and female workers in the rubber plantations in the Straits Settlements?
§ Mr. AMERYIn 1924, the general rates of wages of Indian labourers on estates 24 in Singapore were as follows: tappers, male, 50 cents., female, 40 cents.; weeders, male, 45 cents., female 35 cents.; factory coolies, male, 60 cents. a day. Javenese and Chinese were usually employed on contract with rates ranging from 15 to 24 cents. a katty. I have no official particulars of wages for 1925 and subsequently.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre we to understand the wages are less than 1s. a day English money?
§ Mr. HARDIEIs it not the custom in dealing with India or other parts of the Empire, where the currency differs from that in this country, for Ministers in answering questions to give the equivalent in English?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI fancy the exchange alters from time to time.
§ Mr. HARDIEFor that very reason I would press this as making the answers more intelligent to the House.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEMay I suggest that only Members who understand the currency should ask these questions?
§ Mr. MACLEANWill only Ministers who understand the currency reply?