BRITISH GUIANA.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
42
The Chamber is also led to understand that the effect of the Convention has been salutary in relation to West Indian sugar. In addition, the Chamber views with favour all commercial conventions giving preference in favour of articles produced in British Colonies.
Under these circumstances, we are directed to respectfully communicate to you the resolution of the Executive Committee of the Chamber as follows:--
"That in view of the desirability of defending British Colonies from the effects of foreign sugar bounties and cartels, and in view of the principle followed in Natal of encouraging interchange of Imperial products by means of preferential duties, this Committee is of opinion that the Secretary of State for the Colonies should be respectfully urged to continue the Brussels Sugar Bounty Convention."
43
to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies that, in the opinion of this Council such denunciation would be most prejudicial to the sugar industry by causing an alienation of capital, and otherwise creating a feeling of distrust in the stability of the staple production of the Presidency on which our labouring population so largely depends.
Moved by Mr. Horsford, seconded by Mr. Manchester, and passed unanimously, 14th March, 1907.
13367
No. 33.
G. C. JOHNSON,
Clerk of the Council.
We are, &c.,
DUFF, EADIE & CO.,
Secretaries.
(Received April 15, 1907.)
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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13213
(No. 128.)
MY LORD,
No. 32.
LEEWARD ISLANDS (ST. KITTS-NEVIS).
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
(Received April 15, 1907.)
[Answered by No. 47.]
Government House, Antigua, March 21, 1907.
I HAVE the honour to forward, for the consideration of His Majesty's Govern- ment, the resolution contained in the following despatch from the Administrator of St. Kitts-Nevis on the subject of the Brussels Convention.
2. I concur in the view expressed in the resolution, and will defer making any further remarks until I have before me a representation which I understand will be submitted to me by the Agricultural and Commercial Society of Antigua as to the disastrous effect on the sugar industry of this Colony as a whole of the Brussels Convention being denounced.
SIR,
I have, &c.,
BICKHAM SWEET-ESCOTT,
Governor.
Enclosure in No. 32.
(St. Christopher, Nevis. No. 92.)
Government House, St. Kitts, West Indies, March 18, 1907.
I HAVE the honour to transmit at the request of the Legislative Council of this Presidency, a copy of a resolution by that body on the 14th instant, asking that Your Excellency would be so good as to represent to the Secretary of State that in the opinion of the Council it would be prejudicial to the interests of this Presidency that the Brussels Sugar Convention should be denounced.
..
I have, &c.,
T. LAURENCE ROXBURGH,
Administrator.
Sir Ernest Bickham Sweet-Escott, K.C.M.G.,
Governor of the Leeward Islands,
Antigua.
His Excellency
Resolved:
That this Council, fearing the disastrous effect that must result to this Presidency in the event of the Brussel's Convention being denounced by His Majesty's Government, respectfully requests that His Excellency the Governor will represent
(No. 90.)
MY LORD,
[Answered by No. 48.]
Government House, Georgetown, Demerara,
March 27, 1907. REFERRING to my despatch, No. 68, of the 16th instant,* transmitting resolu- tions passed by the British Guiana Planters' Association and the Chamber of Commerce, which express the earnest hope that in the interests of the sugar industry in which the welfare of this Colony is so materially involved, the Imperial Government will not open the door to kartels, bounties, and the general prostitu- tion of Free Trade principles by ceasing to be a party to the Brussels Sugar Conven- tion, I have the honour to offer a few remarks upon the condition of the sugar industry in British Guiana, and the results which, in my judgment, a withdrawal from the Convention is likely to bring about.
2. In the speech which I delivered on the occasion of the opening of the Combined Court on the 7th February, I made the following statement:-
"The position of the staple agricultural industry, namely, the cultiva- tion and manufacture of cane sugar, is not free from anxiety. The owners of estates, fearful that the Brussels Convention, which places the competition of sugar derived from the cane and sugar derived from beetroot upon an equality may not be renewed, are very naturally curtailing expenditure on improvements. At the present time the state of things is this: that any serious disturbance in the conditions under which the industry is conducted would result in the closing of many estates, thereby throwing a large number of agricultural labourers and others out of employment, and causing such widespread distress as the Government would find it difficult to cope with." I made this statement after a very careful consideration of the existing condi- tion of things, and it represents my opinion. I do not hesitate to say that the with- drawal of the Imperial Government from the Brussels Sugar Convention would seriously disturb the conditions under which the industry is conducted in this Colony; that many estates would very soon afterwards have to close, and that the conditions of the labour market, and of the trade and commerce of the Colony, would be so seriously affected as to cause widespread distress.
3. I do not know whether it is or is not the intention of His Majesty's Govern- ment to withdraw from the Convention, but as alarm in the West Indies on this point has not been allayed by any authoritative statement that withdrawal is not contemplated, I trust that I may be pardoned for speaking plainly, and pointing out what will have to be faced so far as British Guiana is concerned if the shield of the Convention is withdrawn.
4. For some time before the Convention was signed the cane sugar industry had shown unmistakable signs of decadence. Between 1892 and 1900 the factories of no less than 41 estates were dismantled. Of these estates 21 passed more or less out of cultivation, and the other 20 were amalgamated with contiguous estates. Then came the promise of support. The Brussels Sugar Convention came into
• No. 24.
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thle the Secretary of State for the Colonies that, in the opinion denunciation would be most prejudicial to the sugar industry tion of capital, and otherwise creating a feeling of distrust e staple production of the Presidency on which our labouring
depends.
orsford, seconded by Mr. Manchester, and passed unanimously,
G. C. JOHNSON,
Clerk of the Council.
No. 33.
BRITISH GUIANA.
VERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
(Received April 15, 1907.)
[Answered by No. 48.]
Government House, Georgetown, Demerara,
March 27, 1907.
y despatch, No. 68, of the 16th instant,* transmitting resolu- British Guiana Planters' Association and the Chamber of press the earnest hope that in the interests of the sugar welfare of this Colony is so materially involved, the Imperial open the door to kartels, bounties, and the general prostitu- inciples by ceasing to be a party to the Brussels Sugar Conven- our to offer a few remarks upon the condition of the sugar uiana, and the results which, in my judgment, a withdrawal is likely to bring about.
h which I delivered on the occasion of the opening of the e 7th February, I made the following statement:—
tion of the staple agricultural industry, namely, the cultiva- facture of cane sugar, is not free from anxiety. The owners ful that the Brussels Convention, which places the competition ed from the cane and sugar derived from beetroot upon an ot be renewed, are very naturally curtailing expenditure on At the present time the state of things is this: that any ance in the conditions under which the industry is conducted the closing of many estates, thereby throwing a large number
labourers and others out of employment, and causing such tress as the Government would find it difficult to cope with." ment after a very careful consideration of the existing condi- epresents my opinion. I do not hesitate to say that the with- ial Government from the Brussels Sugar Convention would conditions under which the industry is conducted in this tates would very soon afterwards have to close, and that the our market, and of the trade and commerce of the Colony,
affected as to cause widespread distress.
F
whether it is or is not the intention of His Majesty's Govern- m the Convention, but as alarm in the West Indies on this layed by any authoritative statement that withdrawal is not that I may be pardoned for speaking plainly, and pointing be faced so far as British Guiana is concerned if the shield withdrawn.
before the Convention was signed the cane sugar industry ›le signs of decadence. Between 1892 and 1900 the factories tes were dismantled. Of these estates 21 passed more or less d the other 20 were amalgamated with contiguous estates. se of support. The Brussels Sugar Convention came into
• No. 24.
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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Reference :-
C.O.8
885
18 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO