Johore Rich Close Windows

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 276, 22 November 1935, Page 9

Johore Rich Close Windows

TO BE SURE THEY HAVE THEM JOHORE BAHRU.—The housing problem in Johoro, state at the extreme south of the Malay Peninsula, is largely a problem of healthy housing for the rich. This is revealed in the report of Johoro for 1934, made by the. General Adviser hero to the British Government. The problem of the rich is a problem of ventilation. They are so pleased at having windows that they keep them shut. “In the country tho housing position is satisfactory,” tho report states. “The Malay lives on his own land in a house built by himself or a building contractor. The poorer the house the better ventilated; the humble house is built of palm thatch or bark, tho wealthier of sawn planks with windows that superstition and precaution against thieves keep closed at night. Roof Is Enough. “All that is really required,” adds the report, “is a roof to keep off the rain; otherwise the more open the house-in the tropical climate the healthier and more comfortable.”

Johoro is steadily improving its commercial and financial position. A census showed a mining force of 2023, against 1666 in 1933. The value of mineral exports rose in 1934 from 2,411,860 Johore dollars to 3,618,815 Johore dollars.

Agricultural industries occupy the chief position of importance in the Johore economy. Here, too, progress has been noted in rubber, pineapples and oil palm. Timber production and exports havo continued to rise. Exports are now well abovo the 1930 level. Wages Rise.

“Conditions with regard to work and wages were vastly better in 1934 than in 1933,” tho report continues. “The steady rise which marked the average price of rubber in the last six months of that year continued into 1934. The general improvement over the year was reflected in labourers’ wages, which increased considerably.” Johore is an ancient Eastern trading centre. Tho nearby town of Malacca grew to be the first trading centro of tho East. After its conquest by tho Portuguese in 1011, the son of tho last ruler of Malacca settled in Johoro and continued tho historic Sultanato there. In 1895 tho late Sultan Abubakar gave Johore a written constitution. By an agreement made in 1914 Johore agreed to receive a British Adviser, “whose advice must be asked and acted upon on all matters affecting the general administration of the country.” It was agreed that in tho event of differences of opinion between tho Sultan and the Adviser the opinion of tho Johore State Council provided under the 1895 constitution, should be taken and communicated to the High Commissioner, together with tho view of the Adviser.