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DEAR SIR,

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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:-

1a. 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,

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Jasper F. Cargill, Esq.,

Resident Magistrate for St. James.

APPENDIX VI.

I am, &c.,

HUGH RAMSDEN.

13078

CHA

DEAR SIR,

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

DEAR S

Governi the abov

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