Amsterdam, Nov. 8.
The number of convicts in Java has increased by some 25 per cent [since 1930 and the overcrowding of ihe prisons is causing anxiety to the authorities, reports the "Telegraaf" ju 1 message from Batavia There are now 10,000 more convicts than there were eight years ago, the total number being some 50,000, it is horities have decided to transfer about 1,500 convicts from the prisons to the Island of Noesa Kembanyan, on the south coast of Jay where they will be engaged on the rubber est Extension of the prisons will be necessary if the increase of prisoners continues. The Government will deal with the question in the 1940 budget discussions The increase of convicts in Java is said to be due to the greatly lowered [prosperity of the native population 32; Ideal King 5088: Sir Charles 1429 curing the recent years of economic depression.—Reuter
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.