39
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O.885
18 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
1.
38
APPENDIX II.
As to the effect of the Brusssels Convention on the sugar industry? Confidence.
2. As to the effect of the uncertainty which has recently been felt as to its renewal on the expiration of its present term?
Shaken confidence.
(1) What has been the effect of the Convention on prices?
Up to the present little or none, but, I am of opinion, if it is made certain that the Convention will be renewed the price of sugar will be steadied and yet not materially increased, thus leaving little room for complaint on the part of the con- sumer, and much room for satisfaction on the part of the grower, and, or, manu- facturer.
(2) On the extent of the acreage under cultivation, cane?
This is hardly an individual question and I should think can be well arrived at from the Government.
(3) On the development of local confidence and energy?
This is again hardly an individual question, but my opinion is that the effect is marked and expression of such given in the recent improvements made in sundry sugar works throughout the island.
(4) To what extent has it led to the introduction of fresh capital from outside? Considerable:
(5) What is the amount of such fresh capital?
Impossible for any individual to say, but necessarily very considerable, as in some cases complete and expensive new plants have been erected.
(6) What value of new machinery has consequently been imported from Great Britain, Canada, and the United States, respectively?
I do not think this question is a fair one, as it may be that orders for machinery will be deferred until some definite settlement of the question is made known and such cannot be counted as a check; and, again, anyone having begun must of neces- sity complete their improvements, even if such is to lead on, not to fortune, but to ruin, and such cannot be taken to mean a check.
(8) What acreage of canes has consequently (if at all) been abandoned? I have no idea if any and what extent.
It seems hardly possible to think that the British Government, after doing so much to help the West Indian sugar growers, will allow them to fall to the ground; it is evident that the weakest must go to the wall, and under the unfair competition of bounty-fed sugar the West Indies are decidedly the weakest and must go down; with all that is being said about fruit now can anyone not see that it cannot ever be taken as a staple industry; it may be a profitable one for a time, but if put against fruit supplied under a bounty the fall will be sudden and complete.
DEAR SIR,
APPENDIX III.
GEO. TAYLOR.
Falmouth P.O., Jamaica, December 15, 1906.
I HAVE your letter of 10th instant asking for information as to the effect of the Brussels Convention on the sugar industry in the parish of St. James.
best.
I find it somewhat hard to answer in a prescribed form. However, I will do my 1. I do not consider that the Convention has had any effect on prices except that owing to shortage of stocks and the idea that it would raise prices it so far, led to a great deal of speculation in the early part of 1905.
2. None as far as St. James is concerned.
3, 4, 5. None as far as St. James is concerned.
6. The owner of Catherine Hall was induced to put in entirely new machinery
at a cost of about £7,000 from Glasgow, thinking that the bounties would be entirely done away with for all time
7. As far as central factory schemes are concerned I have little doubt that capitalists are holding back before investing to see what is to be the upshot.
8. I don't think any cane land has been abandoned.
I feel sure that owing to the bounties being abolished induced merchants to assist in financing estates that were not already mortgaged or indebted to other firms.
Jasper F. Cargill, Esq.,
Resident Magistrate.
DEAR SIR,
APPENDIX IV.
Yours, &c.,
HUBERT JARRETT KERR.
Montego Bay, Jamaica, West Indies, December 18, 1906.
I HAVE much pleasure in acknowledging your letter of the 12th instant, as I am sure it will be gratifying to all to know that an enquiry is being made in regard to the effect on the sugar industry of the uncertainty of the renewal of the Brussels Convention.
With reference to the effect of the Convention on prices of sugar:-First an active and purely speculative market was created, which from over speculation, had a sharp reaction, and latterly the markets have been steadying. The lowering of the price of beet sugar on the Continent, which was the result of the Brussels Čon- vention, has increased the consumption of sugar, thus absorbing the visible world surplus. With the absorption of this world surplus the markets are strengthened, and it was expected, through the continuation of the Brussels Convention, prices would be improved.
Taking up your third heading " The effect on the development of local energy and confidence," I must couple this with your fourth heading- "The introduction of fresh capital." As our island is purely agricultural, and my firm has large capital invested in the island, every move that touches the agricultural interest of our island is keenly felt by us. Unquestionably, after the ratification of the Brussels Conven- tion great confidence was restored to the sugar industry, and every energy was shown by the planters to improve their methods and machinery, and, in many instances, to centralize their factories. But due to the drain on the sugar planters of many years of low prices they had to seek capital from abroad for their improvements. During the first year after the ratification of the Brussels Convention there was every prospect of obtaining this required capital, and we saw frequent instances of capital seeking investment in the sugar industry round us. While this capital was in progress of investment the discussion in Parliament came up, disclosing the uncertain policy of the British Government in regard to the renewal of the Brussels Convention. This uncertainty changed the entire phase of capital, which receded from our island, nulli- fying the hopes of our planters, and crippling their energetic endeavours for improved machinery from lack of capital.
I can give an actual instance where Canadian capital of a considerable amount was going to establish a central factory last year in our own vicinity. Arrange- ments were progressing, when the Canadian investors turned straight round and withdrew their interest, saying that they could do nothing until they knew what the action of the British Government was going to be.
Treating the subject on general lines, the possibility of developing our sugar industry was great, but the vacillation of the Home Government has driven away capital which was required for this development. Should the Brussels Convention
be renewed, and confidence given to capital of a continuity of British policy to allow fair trade for the sugar industry of the West Indies, I do not hesitate in considering there will be a large influx of capital to Jamaica, in preference to the other West Indies, on account of the suitability of our soil for cane-growing and the facilities of labour, which from figures now before the public show the low cost of production of sugar in this island.
Should there be any further information that I can put before you, it will give me much pleasure in doing so.
J. F. Cargill, Esq.,
Montego Bay.
I remain, &c.,
W. COKE KERR.
39
any cane land has been abandoned.
wing to the bounties being abolished induced merchants to assist hat were not already mortgaged or indebted to other firms.
Yours, &c.,
HUBERT JARRETT KERR.
... agistrate.
APPENDIX IV.
Montego Bay, Jamaica, West Indies, December 18, 1906.
pleasure in acknowledging your letter of the 12th instant, as atifying to all to know that an enquiry is being made in regard igar industry of the uncertainty of the renewal of the Brussels
to the effect of the Convention on prices of sugar:-First an culative market was created, which from over speculation, had
I latterly the markets have been steadying. The lowering of ir on the Continent, which was the result of the Brussels Con- d the consumption of sugar, thus absorbing the visible world bsorption of this world surplus the markets are strengthened, through the continuation of the Brussels Convention, prices third heading "The effect on the development of local energy ust couple this with your fourth heading "The introduction our island is purely agricultural, and my firm has large capital every move that touches the agricultural interest of our island Unquestionably, after the ratification of the Brussels Conven- was restored to the sugar industry, and every energy was shown prove their methods and machinery, and, in many instances, to But due to the drain on the sugar planters of many years 1 to seek capital from abroad for their improvements. During ratification of the Brussels Convention there was every prospect ired capital, and we saw frequent instances of capital seeking gar industry round us.
ies.
While this capital was in progress of sion in Parliament came up, disclosing the uncertain policy nent in regard to the renewal of the Brussels Convention. This he entire phase of capital, which receded from our island, nulli- planters, and crippling their energetic endeavours for improved of capital.
ual instance where Canadian capital of a considerable amount h a central factory last year in our own vicinity. Arrange- ng, when the Canadian investors turned straight round and st, saying that they could do nothing until they knew what sh Government was going to be.
ject on general lines, the possibility of developing our sugar ut the vacillation of the Home Government has driven away uired for this development. Should the Brussels Convention
lence given to capital of a continuity of British policy to allow r industry of the West Indies, I do not hesitate in considering influx of capital to Jamaica, in preference to the other West the suitability of our soil for cane-growing and the facilities figures now before the public show the low cost of production
ny further information that I can put before you, it will give doing so.
I remain, &c.,
W. COKE KERR.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
885
18 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO