The Sun.
London, England, 1853-08-05 00:00:00

portant colonies of British Guiana, Trinidad, and Janiaii

Guiana and Trinidad have listened to the advice of the
Government at home, and much of the evils which they
suffered has been redressed, so far as the expor t of sugar
and the state of industry are concerned. This fact
is shown by official statements of the export of sugar
from British Guiana and Trinidad in the years 1840
and 1852. From Guiana in 1840 were exported 579,000
cwt. of sugar, and in 1852, 838,000 cwt. There were ex-
ported from Trinidad, in 1840, 245,000 cwt., send in 1852,
483,000 cwt. • the exports from these two colonies together
being, in 1840, 824,000 cwt., and in 1852, 1,321,000 cwt.,
being an increase of 497,00 cwt., or considerably more
than 50 percent. on the whole exports in 1840. (Hear.)
But in looking to Jamaica a very different result is found.
The exports of sugar from Jamaica in 1840 were 517,000
cwt., and in 1852 they were 511,000 cwt. (Hear, hear.)
There is a similar difference with regard to immigrants.
It has been the policy of this country in compliance with
the desire of its colonies, that there should be a number of
immigrants imported, in order to supply the want of
labour occasioned by the abolition of differential duties.
Now
there,lwfienred
4t911:1000t inimßreriitgr ishaeGtsu7iana, from 1840 to 1852,
h
and in Trinidad 24,000,
making 73,000 immigrants in those two colonies, while in
v1b.4i0,011080
difference
( H(rlieet
isaperre,
echhot
eeic
ntaewar .letv)
ei
oeaHs
tutehe.
ee
rs,a sai i
entr,
ea,
rrt,oe hfteaetrrahedrfe.os) r
toe e
colonies,,
Jamaica the whole for the twelve years has been only
e
h
Itfi hs
elaa vvi
mee r
yr
there
ehwr
aos bra
30-1
leegiinsgl a trio%
abolished in Jamaica, so likewise it was in Guiana and Tri-
nidad. If foreign sugar was admitted in competition with
colonial sugar in the case of Jamaica, so likewise was it in
the case of Guiana and Trinidad. But there are some cir-
cumstancesaconnected
timesw i t
bhe
etnh ea
sourceconstitution
o f
difficulty,o
which have f
Jamaicab u t
which, in these later years, have been a source of very
great embarrassment, finally ending in that totalst
of the legislature to which I have called the
already attentioncapagge
the house. I have stated that do not m
enter into the progress of that dispute, or to say thatnthe
Council was right or that the Assembly was wrong,
question the particular acts that were done by the go-
vernor on the one side or by the Assembly on the
other. But there are certain—l may not call them laws
or provisions of the constitution of Jamaica, so much
as established practices in the constitution of that island
which have operated very injuriously to the colony.
Now we have had to consider in respect to various colonies
the want of any representative institutions, such as we
think, and very justly think, will benefit our colonies, as
well as benefit the mother country. But in Jamaica, what
we have had to complain of is, not the absence of represen-
tative institutions so much as the perversion of those insti-
tutions to purposes which are not consistent with the wel-
fare of our colonial empire. We all know that in this
country, according to the practice of this house, no vote of
money is made unless upon the proposal of some Minister
of the Crown, and that the Crown has in fact the initiative
in all grants of money, and all grants of money are made to
the Crown. An officer is appointed by the Crown to super-
intend the expenditure of this grant, subject to the control,
and, if necessary to the censure, of this house. But in Ja-
maica these wholesome rules havebeen departed from. Not
only have the House of Assembly the power of raising the
supplies and the appropriation of those supplies, but they
have for a long period of time taken under their own man-
agement all these money and regular disbursements. This
practice has led to very great abuses. It has led, I think,
to very lavish expenditure at particular times, to grants
of money which were far in excess of the means of the co-
lony, and at other times to a desire of economy not con-
sistent with justice, after the expectations that had been
held out to various parties. An this leads me to another
error which has been committed, and that is, that while
there has been laws in Jamaica providing for the perma-
nence of certain offices, these offices have only been main-
tained by votes from year to year. The consequence hasbeen
that persons have accepted high judicial and other offices on
eioxgpeschtoarttioonfs
tho have
se
just
the faith of those acts of the legislature of Jamaica, and their
beenustdeisaxppepeotei
intteoodsbyanvdotensootfgimvionngeysfeaellh-
salaries as have been promised by those permanent acts. I
do not wish to enter into the merits of these votes. It is
natural for the Assembly having the control of these matters
to claim a right of action in regard to them, but no servants
of the Crown can be expected to accept these things, and
afterwards submit to have their salaries either taken
away or reduced very considerably. Latterly a point
upon which great dispute has arisen was a proposal of
taking away 25 per cent. from the salaries of these officers.
Such being the state of affairs it was, of course, a question
what should be the course taken by her Majesty's Go-
vernment with respect to this condition of the island of
Jamaica, and in so considering it I must beg to ask the
attention of the house to an extract from a message of
the late Governor of Jamaica, Sir Charles Grey, which
points out the evil, and suggests the remedies which he at
the time thought would tend to remove them. Sir Charles
Grey says, " With the prospects which are before us, it is,
perhaps, f little present use to say what might be done
by a single-minded effort for the peace and welfare of the
island ; but as all this ruinous distraction, by the frequent
recurrence of which Jamaica has been, throughout its an-
nals, so unhappily distinguished, appears to me to be the
direct and unavoidable result of some perversions of the
model institutions of England, so I believe that the main
and immediate mischief would be remedied at once, by re-
verting in those few particulars to English rules, and by
the Hon. House of Assembly being contented with a power
as perfectly analagous to that of the British House of Com-
mons as it might be possible. to make it, which, after all,
perhaps, would be found to be as great a power for every
good purpose as that which it possesses at present, or even
supposes itself to possess. Therefore, whensoever' and in
whatsoever manner opportunity and leisure maybe found
or created, 'recommend that your attention should be given
—first, to a regulation of the civil and ecclesiastical estab-
lishments, by reductions which shall either be prospective,
or shall be made upon the basis of a fair and moderate
compensation for existing interests ; secondly, to the pro-
vision of a permanent fund for the payment of the reduced
establishments ; thirdly to the enabling of the Gover-
nor, for the time being, to employ ministerial officers,
holding seats in the Assembly, to bring forward Go-
vernment measures in that house." Thse are the re-
commendations of the late Governor of Jamaica. (Hear-
hear) Some years ago there was a question in Ja-
ataica, which I think was brought before the Assem-
bly, whether or not the institutions of that colony should
not be assimilated to those of Canada. The Secretary of
State for the Colonies declared hie readiness to adopt that
proposal, and at the same time pointed out the difference
between the institutions of Canada and those of Jamaica ;
for in Canada there is a permanent provision by means of
.e civil list, passed into an act of the provincial Parliament,
by which certain officers are permanently provided for ;
and there is also the rule that grants to the Crown are to
be in'tiated and proposed by officers of the Crown. That
change, however, was not adopted. Her Majesty's Go-
vernment now propose to act generally upon the basis of
this proposal. They do not propose what has been con-
teenplated by some persons—to suspend the representative
constitution of Jamaica. It is urged, I know, that the
Assembly being elected by only 3,000 persons out of
400,000, the population of Jamaica, is a very incomplete
representation, and ought not to be considered as consti-
nresentation of _ the people of the island of

if he were to be again appointed, w-oulL. .ave Ll. ..-- ~ tuting a repx
support, but because he desired to call attention to the Jamaica. But, setting aside that consideration, at least
subject now, in connection with the report of the select for the present time, Chat the Government wish to do is,
committee upon the office of Speaker. if possible, to induce the Assembly and the Council to
Mr. DISRAELI was convinced, having been a member agree to terms which may serve as a basis for harmonious
of the select committee, that the propositions now before action for the future. (Hear, hear.) What we propose,
the house were the best they could have been adopted, and therefore, is, in the first place, that there should be a per-
he thought he might say that almost every combination of manent act containing grants for those offices for which it
circumstances which could occur respecting the subject of is fit that a permanent salary should be given ; I mean, of
them were considered by the committee before they arrived course, judicial offices, which should be of a permanent
at their adoption. The resolutions provided for a contin- character ; and, in the next place, it is proposed that in
gency which they all sincerely,hoped would not happen in the Assembly of Jamaica, as in the House of Commons,
their own experience. (Hear, hear.) It did not seem to
no grant should be made except upon the proposal of some
him that the objection of the ion. member for Manchester person representing the Crown, and that the Crown
was a valid one. He was not aware that it was at all should have persons speaking the sense of the Crown, and
unknown to any party or any gentleman in the house representing it in that Assembly, as the house is well
that Mr. Bouverie would be proposed as Chairman of aware is the case in Canada, by means of what is called
Ways and Means. It had always been the practice, when responsible Government, namely, by confiding the offices
that office was vacant, to propose to fill it up on the of the Crown to persons having the confidence of the ma-
occasion of the first committee of supply. When he bad jority in the Assembly. It may not be possible or
the honour of a seat on the Treasury benches it was his wise to adopt precisely similar provisions in Jamaica,
duty to propose a gentleman as Chairmam of Ways and
Means, and on that occasion he followed the usual rule, but at the same time we are of opinion that there
The noble lord was perfectly acquainted with his intention. should be some persons under the Crown who should
make proposals of grants of money to the Assembly, and
and, indeed, approved of the name he brought forward, as that the officers of the Crown should be the persons re-
he, in turn, had the happiness to do when the noble lord,
at a se sponsible for the expenditure of that money. It is a source
Kilmar sub
nock.quent period, nominated the hon. member for of the greatest abuse that members of the House of Assem-
bly should themselves expend the money, and this system
Mr. HUME approved of the resolutions, and hoped the produces evils. (Hear, hear.) These are the three things
house would seriously consider what improvement could be that we propose, namely, that there should be a perma-
made in the mode of conducting public business. He could nent revenue for those offices which are placed on a per-
not think it was decent that members of that house should manent footing, that the initiative grants of money should
be returning to their houses at two or three o'clock iu the always be with the representatives of the Crown, and that
morning, after an absence of twelve or fourteen hours; and certain members of the House of Assembly, or persons
he trusted that, whoever might have the arrangement of properly entitled, should be the persons responsible for the
business next session, they would not have midnight sittings expenditure of the public money. On the other hand,
entailed upon them. If he were spared till next session, however, we propose to endeavour to place the finances of
he should certainly, though he stood alone, set his face Jamaic Jamaica oTnhaeremios, r eforsoiunnstdaufnoeo,tianyguthhliaenatehhteyina
jreamiem
on at
against proceeding with business after twelve o'clock. present.
Sir J. PAKINGTON said he did not rise to oppose the besides the debt due to this, amounting to no less than,
resolutions, in which he heartily concurred, but to submit 500,0001. and for which an
interest otfsifperrial peli
cent. isroan.
to the noble lord opposite whether it would not be desirable, an average paid. We propose that herape
at the commencement of next session, to renew that corn- ment, on the proposition of the Government, should give
mittee upon the forms of the house which sat three or a gmaranhiteleefaotr theeesamepayment te of
athaeinikintnegrest due for that
four years ago, and some of whose recommendations were debt, w
fund should be
adopted with great advantage to the business of the house? provided. These two
provisions, the one of a guarantee and
He could not help thinking that the house had outgrown the other of a sinking fund, would enable the Assembly very
its forms, and that the time had come when they ought to greatly to reduce the interest of that debt, and probably
endeavour to find a remedy for the present state of things, at 3.21 per cent. they would secure that 500,0001. But
in which important business was brought forward at a time
rhaanyteeev.e
when a large proportion of the most influential and able there remains another sum which it is proposed to gua-
ryThmendeihffiacriuleteinesemf -lhaitech
yheaavree
oonccut
members of the house had left town, and when those who
remained, whether in or out of office, were dischar •rrheedsubijaecjtaomfaicecar-
duty at a great sacrifice of personal inconvenience,ging their twin salaries of official persons. It is contended that the
some risk to their health. It was of the and at Assembly, as the tax bills cease every year, are entitled in
that the business of the house should be highest importance proposing and carryingthose taxbills, to make any arrange-
that
to deter competent men from seeking
so conducted as meat they may think fit for the reduction of salaries. It is
constituencies. He did not wish
to the confidence of contended, on the other hand, by the Council, that it would
particular scheme of improvement ledP. ge himself to any be a breach of faith to the persons accepting permanent
house, or to go along within the forms of the offices, in the belief that permanent salaries would be
all the observations he made theth hon. member for Surrey in allowed to them to make very large reductions. Now
e other night,or it to that the lmight be settled by
in recom- appears us quarre mi
mending a morning sitting, but
house shouldnot •
mg, he saw no reason why the a proposition that in the case of those officers
meet in the
stead of the first second week of January, in- which it is proposed to reduce the holders should
week of February. receive a guarantee amounting to half a year's salary,
The motion
was then agreed to. so that those persons might not be deprived. of the presPeV,'
THE ISLAND OF JAMAICA. which bad been held out to them. In order to do this
nb
Lord J. RUSSELL : I said that I would this evening would be necessary that the Assembl- .
sum for that purpose, and we do not think .
should Brat that certai
t at that sum
roposed,
state the intentions of the Government with regard to the should be calculated at less than 50,0001.0
..Itlp making
colony of Jamaica. lam not going to enter into a history.refore, that a loan to a further amountedf 1)'-;,""'-'
this house.
of the progress of that dissension which has occurred beooo/ altogether, should be geutsante
with this whole sub-
of
the Assembly and the Council of Jamaica. All that Theree i.siO3.lniostheaern:,teTannesneinssacorynigi , 4,,,
or ae r ~o,p-iiiri liefuasive 7,shanwz
I wish to refer to is the fact that the Assembly have passed jest
success to the proposed expe
- ea.dye,ntw.hen the right hon.
bills for the provision of the revenue, and that those bills aware that Sir C. Grey kadra,,iircingto.) was i„ffiss, dis.
which were absolutely necessary for carrying on the public entleman
functionsopposite (S ''
iorf Govemor of Jamaica during the
service, appeared to the Council to be so objectionable that gear.
iuligpeerdiot for which these offices arel heeled. Ho has dis-
hasbeea
the Council refused their concurrence. The Governor ia charged those duties wtitletaara: y g
rim spirenirent thos% a facillts and
Council was obliged to suspend the meetings of the Assent- able, up to the i.
I
breii
hip, and the whole state of legislation in the island of 1 err9rs h 1
';`;.,,,,iici i
being pr sal` existn the constitution of Ja-
oductive of the manifest conmequences -
Jamaica remains in suspense. Now, in considering any 1 I.J.Tlecili. we see they have now resulted in. My noble friend
question with respect to the West Indian colonies, we
"
the Duke of Newcastle, now Secretary of State for the Co-
must no doubt always bear in mind that within the last lonies, in e:oithd i.o.nigl. among the persons holding official
place— situations in et. hil les who there was who might be best
twenty years two very great changes have taken d
with from his knowledge, and experience,lnd talent,
changes which were designed to be permanent in their :la,-
with the greatest success to bring the different parts. of the
racter, and which were enforced by the Imperial Leg Legislature Legislature of Jamaica into harmony, and restore the con-
ture . The first of these was the abolition of slavery, a.ll, atitutioru)f thei island to a sound state, has been of opinion
the other was the admission into this country of foree„n that Si arkly, who has for several years been Gover-
colonial suga 1 • nor of the colony of British Guiana, and who certainly had
sugar on an equal footing with our
ownection and corn- great difficulties to deal with when he first went there,
V
These two great changes led to so much o j i
ew
likse to so would be the best person to be appointed as Governor of
plaint on the part of the colonies, they led Jamaica. He has accordingly recommended to her Majesty
think they were
much loss to the colonies, that although I
the Legislature
to appoint Sir H. Barkly to this important office, and the
founded upon sound principles,
and
that
is advisable, in Government is of opinion that there
ecoiueld be no person
did well to adopt them, Ido not think it better qualified for the purpose. Aqu st n naall
- Yalcr b:
of the Assemblies •
1 with respect to the salary of the governor, and it would
case where discontent prevails in any
any to any extreme the most unfortunate if the salary of the goverrior should fur-
of the West Indian islands, to push .., nigh cause for dispute immediately on the occasion of the
area:, hoar') w Pith respect
rights of the Government. , appointment of a new governor. On the other hand,it would
beg leave to '
to this last change, however, I point out be a very great misfortune if the office of Governor of Joe
the difference that then? is between the three most ire- males were by a reduction a salary made of less has