Council Minutes, Perak
22nd May 1882
Present:
Regent
Resident (Hugh Low)
Raja Dris
Temenggong
Kadzi
Dato' Raja Mahkota
4. The Kadzi agrees generally with the Dato' Raja Mahkota, but would prefer that the period of complete manumission be extended to three years.
6. Raja Dris agrees generally with the preceding speakers, whose proposals accord with the views already expressed by himself, but he will draw up a memorandum and submit it to the Council so as to explain in detail the prices at which different classes of slaves should be valued for manumission.
7. H.H. Regent agrees with what had been said, but thinks that the Penghulus should enquire and ascertain the proper sum to be demanded in each case and report on the number of slaves and slave-debtors in their mukims.
8. Raja Dris remarks that an enquiry of this kind would lead to interminable difficulties. When the Resident came to Perak it was notified that all persons who on the day of his arrival were of the status of slaves or bondsmen and the control of their masters should be considered to be of that status without further investigation or enquiry; and it was greatly due to this assurance that the discussion of this important question had not had any disturbing effect. The best plan therefore would be to divide bondsmen into classes and to fix the limits of compensation payable for each class.
9. The Regent then withdraws his objection, but says that he would to see the term of absolute manumission extended to three years.
10. The Resident explains that his chief objection to the proposals of the Chiefs rests on the delay which must take place. He would like to see every one in the State free early in 1883; but if the regular payments of instalments can be guaranteed to the proprietors he thinks that the proposals of Raja Dris presents a solution that can be accepted. He would be greatly obliged if any one of the members who may wish to do so will prepare a memo giving his views in detail. With such assistance, and after discussing the question with other members not now present, the Resident hopes to prepare a return disposing the question in a satisfactory manner. He is quite sure that the British Government and H. E. the Governor will highly appreciate the valuable and ready assistance which the members have given in the discussion of this question and their desire to respond to the invitation to abolish an institution so generally repugnant to the feelings of civilised nations.
Dato' Raja Mahkota
4. The Kadzi agrees generally with the Dato' Raja Mahkota, but would prefer that the period of complete manumission be extended to three years.
6. Raja Dris agrees generally with the preceding speakers, whose proposals accord with the views already expressed by himself, but he will draw up a memorandum and submit it to the Council so as to explain in detail the prices at which different classes of slaves should be valued for manumission.
7. H.H. Regent agrees with what had been said, but thinks that the Penghulus should enquire and ascertain the proper sum to be demanded in each case and report on the number of slaves and slave-debtors in their mukims.
8. Raja Dris remarks that an enquiry of this kind would lead to interminable difficulties. When the Resident came to Perak it was notified that all persons who on the day of his arrival were of the status of slaves or bondsmen and the control of their masters should be considered to be of that status without further investigation or enquiry; and it was greatly due to this assurance that the discussion of this important question had not had any disturbing effect. The best plan therefore would be to divide bondsmen into classes and to fix the limits of compensation payable for each class.
9. The Regent then withdraws his objection, but says that he would to see the term of absolute manumission extended to three years.
10. The Resident explains that his chief objection to the proposals of the Chiefs rests on the delay which must take place. He would like to see every one in the State free early in 1883; but if the regular payments of instalments can be guaranteed to the proprietors he thinks that the proposals of Raja Dris presents a solution that can be accepted. He would be greatly obliged if any one of the members who may wish to do so will prepare a memo giving his views in detail. With such assistance, and after discussing the question with other members not now present, the Resident hopes to prepare a return disposing the question in a satisfactory manner. He is quite sure that the British Government and H. E. the Governor will highly appreciate the valuable and ready assistance which the members have given in the discussion of this question and their desire to respond to the invitation to abolish an institution so generally repugnant to the feelings of civilised nations.
No comments:
Post a Comment