31
be informed that I have duly received his letter of the 20th of May last* commu- nicating a resolution passed by the Chamber urging the continuance by His Majesty's Government of their adhesion to the Brussels Sugar Convention.
23807
No. 48.
NATAL.
24102
I have, &c.,
ELGIN.
SIR,
THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
(No. 89.)
MY LORD,
(Received July 6, 1907.)
[Answered by No. 62.]
Government House, Pietermaritzburg, Natal, June 10, 1907. I HAVE the honour to forward, for your information, copy of a resolution passed by the Inanda Agricultural Association [and] which has received the support of the Committee of the Durban Chamber of Commerce.
2. The Secretary of the Inanda Agricultural Association states that the reso- lution was carried nem. con. at a meeting largely composed of members whose sole interest is dependent upon the prosperity of the Colonial sugar industry.
3. I would refer your Lordship to your despatch Miscellaneous of the 29th April last. on the same subject.
I have, &c.
W. H. BEAUMONT,
Administrator.
Enclosure in No. 48. RESOLUTION.
That this Association most strongly deprecates any intention of the Imperial Government to withdraw from the Brussels Convention, as the effect of this Conven- tion has made it possible for the Sugar Industry of the British Colonies to be carried on, and requests the Durban Chamber of Commerce to transmit this Resolution to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and also advise the West India Committee of what has been done."
May 2, 1907.
Attached to 22650
SIR,
No. 49.
TREASURY to FOREIGN OFFICE.
Treasury Chambers, July 6, 1907. In reply to your letter of the 25th ultimo, transmitting a copy of a Memo- randum dated the 20th ultimo from the French Ambassador on the subject of the Sugar Convention, I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury to state, for the information of Secretary Sir Edward Grey, that if the Convention were amended in the manner desired by His Majesty's Government there would, in their Lordships opinion, be no objection to giving a favourable answer to the two inquiries of the French Government.
My Lords think it desirable that steps should be taken to insure that the proposed arrangement shall not permit of British sugared products being at any disadvantage upon importation into Convention countries as being suspected of containing bounty-fed sugar.
I am, &c.,
E. W. HAMILTON.
No. 50.
FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
(Received July 8, 1907.)
[Answered by No. 97.]
Foreign Office, July 8, 1907. I AM directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to inform you that a copy of the despatch* from the Governor of Barbados respecting the sugar industry in that Colony, which was enclosed in your letter, No. 17195/1907, of the 12th ultimo,† was referred to the British Delegate on the Permanent Sugar Commission for vations which he might desire to offer.
any
obser-
Sir G. T. Carter estimates the cost of production of one ton of sugar at eleven pounds sixteen shillings and eight pence, and the profit on each ton at sixteen shillings and seven pence, or practically nothing.
obtained from a reliable source information to the effect that the cost of producing Sir H. Bergne, however, has a ton of Muscovado sugar, including molasses, varies in Barbados from seven pounds two shillings and six pence to nine pounds ten shillings, according to the situation of the estate, and the percentage of extraction, but that the average cost at the present time may be fairly put at eight pounds fifteen shillings. gallons of molasses are made with each ton of sugar, and the value of molasses this One hundred season has been sixteen cents per gallon. The value at the present time in Barbados of one ton of Muscovado sugar is eight pounds ten shillings.
These figures give the following result:-
Sugar per ton ...
100 gallons of molasses at 8d. per gallon.
Cost price of one ton of sugar, with molasses Net profit per ton
£8 10 0
3 6 8
£11 16
8 15
8 0
£3 1 8
The difference between the figures given by Sir G. T. Carter and those given by Sir H. Bergne is very great, and Sir E. Grey would be glad if the observations of the Governor of Barbados could be obtained on the matter.
24085
No. 51.
NEW ZEALAND.
I am, &c.,
LOUIS MALLET.
INVERCARGILL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
SIR,
(Received July 8, 1907.)
[Acknowledged through the Governor, July 10, 1907, Miscellaneous.]
Invercargill Chamber of Commerce, Box 41,
Invercargill, New Zealand, May 23, 1907.
Brussels Sugar Bounties Convention.
THIS Chamber having been advised that it is stated the British Government have decided not to continue as parties to the Brussels Sugar Bounties Convention of 1903, it has been made plain to my Committee that if such were the case, and foreign countries could revert to the granting of bounties as formerly, it would very seriously affect the welfare of the industry in the West Indies.
This Chamber also considers that the withdrawal of the Convention would be an injury to the refining industry in the Colonies as well as Great Britain.
• No. 38.
↑ No. 43 in Miscellaneous No. 206.
‡ See No. 29.
• No. 1.
† L.F.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TELEC.O.885
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