CO885-24 — Page 23

لدم

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 885

24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

34

BRITISH HONDURAS.'

3. It requires very little corn-growing in the Colony to create a surplus. But last year's crop was a failure, not only in the Colony, but throughout Central America and Mexico. If the present prices continued to rule there is little doubt While I do not that the enterprise undertaken would be a remunerative one. expect these prices to continue-yet if the war is prolonged, as apparently it will be, the price of corn throughout the world will be much above the peace average, and it is of importance that we should have a good supply of our own-I believe also that we may export part of the surplus profitably. Should my anticipations as to the duration of the war fortunately prove incorrect, I expect that the Government will be unable to recover all the money put into the farm: but that is a small matter. The undertaking is really a war insurance scheme, and any loss can only be looked upon as the equivalent of a premium paid.

4. I am, however, somewhat concerned at the size of the undertaking Messrs. Craik and Colpoys estimate that 200 labourers will be engaged on both schemes. would rather not employ more than half that number, or even less. There is very little risk in growing the corn required for local consumption; but the growing in large quantities for export is a new thing in the Colony, and pioneer enterprises seldom pay. If I have to employ over 100 labourers it will only be because employment must be found for able-bodied men who cannot find other employment.

5. During the hiring season of 1913-14 there were hired in Belize 1,717 labourers, at an average wage of $12.64. During the past season only 714 men were engaged, and at an average wage of $8.21. There are, therefore, some 1,000 labourers less in regular employment than there were last year, and some of this year's engagements are only for short periods. In the circumstances it is fortunate that the Government has not yet had to find employment for more men. Many labourers are living in the country on plots allowed them free of rent by the Belize Estate and Produce Company, growing a little food for themselves and taking such The bulk of the labourers moderately paid jobs as turn up from time to time.

are, indeed, behaving admirably; but how long they can go on as at present is uncertain. Mahogany may partially recover in a year's time. Logwood can now be cut at a slight profit, but can only give a limited amount of employment. Exten- sion of banana and coco-nut cultivation would be very remunerative in the long run if undertaken now; but unfortunately the necessary capital is not available for any more than the normal increase. It would scarcely be expedient for the Govern- ment to have its own banana and coco-nut plantations, as the Government manage- It would be ment might then have to be carried on for some years after the war. preferable if the Government could finance a few planters who have shown them- selves capable and worthy of confidence. But the Government has not the money. After inquiry, I am of opinion that, if I could arrange a loan of £25,000 for planters, the money being spent under Government supervision and on fair security, very little the labour difficulty would be got over; that the Government would incur risk; that the revenue would be improved, and substantial progress made in pro- moting agriculture. It would be necessary that the repayment of the loan be spread over a number of years, commencing probably in the third year and continuing for another three or five years. I hope you will be able to approve of such a loan should I be able to raise the money. I would not suggest it if the position were not serious; or if it could simply be met by extra taxation and reduction of expendi- ture. On the other hand, if this scheme can be carried through I have consider- able confidence in the power of the Colony to come out of its difficulties without having to be a burden on the taxpayer of the United Kingdom. I have, &c.,

WILFRED COLLET,

Governor.

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BRITISH HONDURAS.

Enclosure in No. 24.

BRITISH HONDURAS.-LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Message No. 6 of 1915.

THE Governor has the honour to lay before the Honourable Members of the Legislative Council particulars of an arrangement between the Government and Messrs. Colpoys and Craik for the cultivation of land in the Stann Creek district and copies of correspondence further explaining the agreement, and to invite the Council to approve the terms of the arrangement.

WILFRED COLLET,

Governor.

Government House,

Belize, 19th February, 1915.

Particulars of arrangement between the Government and Messrs. Colpoys and Craik for cultivation of land at Stann Creek.

There are two schemes. The first is for the cultivation of land at Melinda belonging to the British Honduras Syndicate. This land is to be sown with corn, beans, or any other crops approved by the Government. Messrs. Colpoys and Craik superintend the clearing and cultivation, and supply the animals required for ploughing and other operations. The Government pays all expenses approved by it, and allows Messrs. Colpoys and Craik one dollar a day each for rations while engaged on the work and resident at Melinda. The whole of the produce will be the property of the Government.

The second scheme provides for the clearing and cultivation of five hundred acres of Crown land which, on the faithful performance by Messrs. Colpoys and Craik of the two schemes, after the repayment by them of all advances in respect of the second scheme and the return or purchase by them of all Government implements, will be granted to them as tenants in common in fee simple.

The Government will advance to Messrs. Colpoys and Craik the amount of expenditure approved by it for the clearing, cultivation, and sowing and planting Not less than one-third of the of the said land during the years 1915 and 1918.

area cultivated during 1916 shall during that year be placed under fruit grafts or such other special cultivation as Messrs. Colpoys and Craik may, with the approval of the Government, substitute therefor. Messrs. Colpoys and Craik shall cultivate as much of this land as is possible with the labour supply offering at the rates approved by the Government, which will ordinarily be at the rate of $8.00 per month, in addition to rations on the same scale as the rations supplied by the Survey Department to chain men. Captains may be paid such higher rate as the Government approves. The Government will not advance wages above the approved scales, but Messrs. Colpoys and Craik may pay higher wages to labourers employed on the land to be granted if they themselves pay the difference between the higher rate and the approved rate. Messrs. Colpoys and Craik will repay to the Govern- ment by the 31st December, 1921, the amount advanced in respect of land to be granted. The repayment may be made either in cash or in kind. If made in kind repayment shall be made in corn delivered at the nearest point on the Stann Creek Messrs. railway, every bushel of corn being taken as the equivalent of fifty cents Colpoys and Craik, if they do not elect to deliver the corn produced in 1915 and 1918 to the Government, shall make payments in cash towards repayment of advances made equivalent to the total value of corn produced calculated at the rate of fifty cents a bushel. The balance owing on the 1st January, 1917, shall be repaid in not more than five annual instalments on the 31st December, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1920, and 1921, respectively, unless the Government shall see cause to extend the time for repayment. Messrs. Colpoys and Craik may repay the whole or any part of amount Messrs. Colpoys and Craik undertake to due by them before the stipulated time. keep full accounts which will distinguish between expenditure incurred on the Melinda land and on the Crown land to be granted, and specially showing where each labourer was employed on each day. Accounts will also be kept of all produce raised with particulara as to dates and place. All ploughs and implements shall be the property of the Government and be returned on the 1st January, 1917, unless taken over by Messrs. Colpoys and Craik at a price to be agreed upon.

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