The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-29
H..

In order TO understand the method OF dealing
with the labor problem, introduced by Daendels
and resumed some twenty years later by Gen.
van den Bosch, ii is needfu to keep in view the
land-tenure system of the island II seems that
the local soveregns had always been recognized
as the absolute owners Of the soil, and all occupa
ton OF land derived its sanction from the con
sent Of the sovereign. Thus except in few in
stances, which will be specified presently. every
person in Java was tenant Of native chief.
In each Javanese community the land was di-
vided into portions, and an allotment was made
10 every family or individual as circumstances
might direct From time TO time usually from
year 10 year, the occupants were changed, the
land thus circulating among the villagers in
regard TO cultivation the following general rule
was observed with variations: Suppose the crop
OF a given quantity Of land consisted of sixty
parts; one-sixth deducted for cultivation
and reaping. and this was paid TO the occupier Of
the land; OF the remaining fifty parts, two were
paid to the village priest and the remaining forty
eight parts were divided equally between the
sovereign or his local representative, and the cu-
uvator The result, therefore. of the division
OF a crop OF sixty tons Of rice. would be thirty
four tons to the culivator. two to the priest and
twenty four tons TO the sovereign. The share
paid TO the sovereign may be considered 10 have
represented the rent Of the land An additional
power rested with the representative Of the sover-
egn in that he could compel the culuvator to
sell out his share Of the crop at the ruling prce
Under such n system there were no sales OF land
either as between culuvators or between the
sovereign and the culuvator, nor was there any
inheritance Of rights in the land. except in so far
as the sovereign and his SUCCESSORS were con-
cerned. 1t may seem AT first sight that such
system would be open TO great abuses, but as
matter OF fact the local representatives of the
sovereign were deferred from an unjust exercise
OF their powers by very important consideration
As the salaries OF the representatives were always
paid on the basis of percentage Of the crop, il was
obviously TO the interest Of each of them that the
crop should be as large possible, and, as any
act OF tyranny would he followed by a general
migration from one district TO another, regent
might find himself deserted by his cultiyators
in which case not only would his income fall off
but he would certainly be dismissed by his SOW
ereiGn. whose interests would suffer from the
abandonment Of tho land.
There were only three exceptions 10 The rule by
which all proprietary rights were vested in the
sovereign The first S in the case Of fruit trees
which by custom we e considered the permanent
property Of the person who planted and tended
them: the second exception was the "gaga" land
that is 10 say, lands cleared from forests or re-
claimed from the wilderness by the cuItivator such
lands, small in extent becoming the cultivator's
property. II is these "gaga" lands which are re-
ferred to by MI Boys in his Notes on Java Tbs