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50

In conclusion, we beg to express our strong conviction that, if the Convention remains untouched, there lies a prosperous future before Antigua and St. Kitts, relying on sugar cane as the principal and cotton as a most valuable auxiliary crop.

51

Resolved further:

"That a copy of the letter of Mr. B. T. Rogers, Manager of the British Columbia Sugar Refining Company, Limited, of Vancouver, be attached to the communication."

14090

(No. 145.)

MY LORD,

No. 39.

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Received April 20, 1907.)

[Answered by No. 45.]

Government House, Singapore, March 28, 1907.

I HAVE the honour to transmit to Your Lordship copy of a letter received from the Chamber of Commerce, Singapore, urging the great desirability of con- tinuing the terms of the Brussels Sugar Convention in the interests of the Straits Settlements sugar trade.

I have, &c.,

•

Enclosure in No. 39.

SECRETARY.

JOHN ANDERSON.

ACTING SECRETARY, Chamber of Commerce and Exchange, Singapore, to Colonial

SIR,

I HAVE the honour to request you to lay before the Secretary of State for the Colonies the great desirability in the interests of the trade of this Colony of continuing the terms of the Brussels Sugar Bounty Convention. This Convention expires on 1st September, 1908, and thereafter remains in force from year to year unless one of the high contracting parties notifies its intention of ceasing to abide by it. The Chamber have been informed by the West India Committee that it has been stated that the present Government have decided not to continue as parties of the Convention after 1st September, 1908. In their opinion the present Conven- tion has greatly helped the local producer, and its abolition would tend in a great measure to the extinction of the sugar-growing industry in these parts.

I have, &c.,

14616

No. 40.

A. A. GUNN.

DEAR SIR,

Enclosure in No. 40.

I have, &c.,

WM. SKENE,

Secretary.

British Columbia Sugar Refining Company, Limited,

March 16, 1907.

I BEG to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 16th instant, together with circular letter from the West India Committee, on which you ask for information.

I would unhesitatingly say that the continuation of the Brussels Convention is absolutely necessary to the continued existence of the sugar industry in the British West Indies.

My opinion should perhaps carry all the more weight because I am totally disinterested, although I have full knowledge of the conditions under which these Colonies have before had to work. In my opinion, if Great Britain should with- draw from the Brussels Convention, grave disaster to the West Indies would certainly result.

Wm. Skene, Esq.,

Secretary,

15230

Vancouver Board of Trade,

City.

No. 41.

BRITISH GUIANA.

Yours, &c.,

B. T. ROGERS.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Received April 29, 1907.) [Answered by No. 51.]

(No. 109.) MY LORD,

Government House, Georgetown, Demerara, April 9, 1907. REFERRING to my despatches, No. 68, of the 16th March, and No. 90, of the 27th March, I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship a resolution which has been passed by the British Guiana Board of Agriculture earnestly requesting His Majesty's Government to abstain from giving notice of its intention to withdraw from the Brussels Convention.

I have, &c.,

F. M. HODGSON.

SIR,

VANCOUVER BOARD OF TRADE to COLONIAL OFFICE.

(Received April 25, 1907.) [Acknowledged see No. 46.]

Molson's Building, Vancouver, British Columbia,

Canada, April 12, 1907.

I HAVE the honour to state that the subject of the continuance of the Brussels Sugar Bounty Convention after expiration of the term now current, having been submitted to this Board as of great importance to the welfare of the sugar industry in the West Indian Colonies, by the West India Committee of London; and the matter having been discussed at the monthly meeting of the Board on 2nd instant, the following resolution was passed (nem. con.), viz. :—

Resolved:

"That a letter be addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies in compliance with the request of the West India Committee of London, England, asking for a continuance of the Brussels Convention in the interests of the West Indian Colonies"; and

(British Guiana.)

Enclosure in No. 41.

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. Resolution.

Whereas the Board of Agriculture of British Guiana views with considerable alarm, and with the greatest anxiety, the possibility of the British Government giving notice of its intention to withdraw from the Brussels Sugar Convention

Be it resolved:

That this Board earnestly requests His Majesty's Government to take the following facts into consideration, and to abstain from giving notice of its intention to withdraw from the Convention.

Nos. 24 and 33.

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O.885

18 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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