§ Major POLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the general rates of wages paid to male, female, and child labourers in the rubber plantations in the Straits Settlements?
§ Dr. SHIELSThe following average rates of daily wages are taken from the Straits Settlements Blue Book, 1927:
Male. Female. Singapore: Cents. Cents. Indian Tappers 50–70 40–60 Weeders 50–60 40–50 Factory coolies 60–80 —
Chinese.—Paid on results 20½35 cents. per Kati. Javanese Tappers.—Paid on results 20–35 cents. per Kati. Male. Female. Penang: Cents. Cents. Tappers 40–45 35–40 Weeders — 25–35 Malacca: Tappers 40–50 — Weeders, etc. 40–45 30–40 Store coolies 55–60 — Chinese Contract rates Javanese and Malays 50–60 cents. Separate information regarding the rates of wages paid to children is not available but it is being obtained by despatch, and will be communicated to my hon. and gallant Friend when received.