PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
61
Reference :-
TILL C.O.8
885
DEAR SIR,
40
APPENDIX V.
Bellfield, Hampden P.O., December 15, 1906. I HAVE to own yours of 10th instant and, in reply, beg to state that I shall write to the Secretary of the North Side Sugar Planters' Association asking him to put your letter before the meeting to be held in early January, when the questions can be thoroughly threshed out and a reply embodying the views of the North Side planters sent you for His Excellency's information. This I feel sure would be more satisfactory than individual opinions, though :-
1. I certainly am of opinion that the Brussels Convention has had a very con- siderable effect in steadying the sugar industry, which is in a very much sounder position to-day than at any time in the last four years.
Parishes like Westmoreland and Vere have made strides such as, I am sure, would not have been made but for the Convention, and this parish, while not so essentially a sugar parish, being really more dependent on its rum industry, has put a very considerable amount of capital in machinery in the last two years, which is entirely due to the more assured outlook.
2. Capital has been invested in full belief that should the British Government find that the terms of the Convention have placed the industry on a sound footing, and make it possible for the West Indies to compete in the home market (which, I think, has been amply proved) the Government would renew the Convention. So far there has been no check, both capitalists and planters being loath to believe that the Home Government entertain any serious intention of refusal.
With regard to the effect of the Convention on prices :-
la. I should say that it is a little early for any marked effect, the high prices ruling in early 1905 being due entirely to short production and speculation caused by the uncertainty of the effect of the Convention; there was then a corresponding reaction, but now the market is more steady and I think a good effect will shortly be felt, in that a steady price will rule.
2a. On most of the estates in this parish all the available acreage is in cane. Considerable efforts have been made by the planters, but more to a better system of cultivation than to an increased acreage.
3a. Local confidence has certainly been to an extent restored; individual estates are at a considerable outlay against 1907 crop, while I understand that it has been definitely decided to put up a factory on the seaside to take canes from all the neigh bouring estates for crop 1908, and this, I believe, is to be done purely with local capital.
4 and 5a. There has been very little outside capital, if any, invested in this parish.
6a. A very considerable amount of machinery has been imported by several estates; as to the amount I presume the North Side Sugar Planters' Association will be able to give the figures.
7a. I do not think as yet there has been any check, for the reasons which I stated in answering your second question.
8a. None.
Trusting that the answers given may prove of some use, though I feel sure that an answer from our Association will be more to the point,
&c.,
Jasper F. Cargill, Esq.,
Resident Magistrate for St. James.
I am,
HUGH RAMSDEN.
41
talked about discontinuing the Convention than the money went off into another channel.
What has been the effect on prices? Just after the Convention was signed sugar went up to a pretty high figure, and, although it has gone down again, it is not as low to-day as I have seen it.
On the acreage under canes?—As far as I can gather, about 1,200 or 1,300 acres of canes have been thrown up in this and the adjoining parish.
On the development of local confidence and energy?-When the Convention was first signed and sugar took a spurt the planter took heart and started to improve his canes, but I am afraid we are going backward again.
Total amount of fresh capital from abroad and amount of such fresh capital? I cannot say.
What value of new machinery has been imported into the island?—This infor- mation could best be had from the Collector-General's Office. Some time ago a resolution was sent up to the Government from the North Side Sugar Planters' Association calling to their attention the ill-effects it would have on the sugar industry if the Convention was discontinued, and I believe also from the Westmore- land Association. Personally I think it would be a great mistake if the Convention were to be discontinued.
Yours, &c.,
J. F. Cargill, Esq.,
Montego Bay.
13079
No. 30.
H. P. HEWETT.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE ORANGE RIVER COLONY to COLONIAL OFFICE.
(Received April 15, 1907.)
[Acknowledged: see No. 44.]
Chamber of Commerce of the Orange River Colony,
Bloemfontein, March 19, 1907.
SIR,
I HAVE the honour to address you on behalf of this Chamber respecting a rumour that the Imperial Government have decided not to continue as parties to the Brussels Sugar Bounty Convention after September 1, 1908. If this is so my Chamber would like to point out the ill effects, so far as the Colonies are concerned, which must follow such a step. In South Africa, as in other parts of the Empire, the cultivation of sugar is an important industry, and it is impera- tive that it should have a fair chance in a free market if it is to continue to exist and flourish.
Trusting His Majesty's Government will continue to support the Convention,
I have, &c.,
13078
No. 31.
G. SMETHAM,
Secretary.
P
DEAR SIR,
APPENDIX VI.
Ironshore Estate, Montego Bay, December 16, 1906. In answer to your letter of the 8th instant re the effect of the Brussels Con- vention on the sugar industry, I beg to say that it has had the effect of giving the Jamaica planter a chance of competing in the British market on equal terms with other countries.
On the effect of the uncertainty which has recently been felt?—I can only speak of this in my own immediate neighbourhood. Some little time ago a scheme was got up to erect a central factory at Fairfield, but I understand that no sooner was it
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, PIETERMARITZBURG, to COLONIAL
DEAR SIR,
OFFICE.
(Received April 15, 1907.)
[Acknowledged: see No. 43.]
12, Timber Street, Pietermaritzburg, March 21, 1907.
Re Brussels Sugar Bounty Convention.
THE attention of this Chamber has been called to a report that the present Government of the United Kingdom have decided not to continue as parties to the above Convention after September 1, 1908.
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18 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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