Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-03-31
THE WEST iNhIES

Lord George Bentick, Immediately on the
re-assembling of the House of Commons, mo-
we'd for select committee - to inquire into
the present condition and prospects of the in
terests connected with, and dependent on, SUI
gar and coffee planting in her Majesty's East
and West Indian possessions, and the Mauri- !
thus" After an interesting debate OF two
nights duration, the motion was carried with
out any objection, almost the only dissentients
being Mr.. Hume and Mr. Edward EIlice. who
argued that, as the government had pre-deter-
mined upon their course Of proceeding, the in
vestigations OF a committee would be useless.
Lord George Behtck having submitted his
motion in very able speech, in which he
supported all the various claims Of the plan
tiers, with the exception of the contemplated
alteration in the Navigation Laws, the Chan
cellor of the Exchequer, in his reply, took the
opportunity of stating what course the gov
eminent intended to take. He commenced by
declaring emphaticaly that it would be de-
ceiying the West Indians if anything be said,
or which was done by the government, led
them to believe that they had any doubt of the
propriety of the course adopted in 1916, or
that there existed any intention of altering the
sugar act of that year. This was stated eX-
plcitly, after which Sir Charles Wood detail
ed the views Of the government upon points
Of subordinate character, which may be thus
briefly stated The government propose 10
bring in the necessary bills as early as posi-
BILE, 10 remove the existing fiscal restrictions
against the use of nlo!asses in distIlerles, but
still to prevent their use in breweries; sugar
and moIasses 10 be used separately, in COM
bination with malt and grain. The still sub
sisting dlfferential duty on rum TO be further
equaiZed, upon just comparison OF the con-
f1icting claims of the coIonist and the home
distiIIer Cane juice to be admitted at duty
equivalent to It's bona .fde value in sugar, the
precise duty being question to be agreed up.
on after proper tests of the exact value of the
two articles. a sum not exceeding R200 900
to be advanced 10 the West Indians for the
purpose of encouraging immigration OF free
Coolies, and natives of Africa and further,
that the liberated Africans, which, after cap-
ture, have been located in Serrea Leone,
would be removed to the West Indies, at al
most the entire expense OF the government
The Chancellor of the Exchequer also intima-
ted that, further than the ten years already
granted. an additional indulgence for five years
| would be conceded for the payment OF the hur-
ricane loan Sir Charles Wood having reelted
the various proposed notifications OF the pres
! ent law, commenting uTon them as he pro-
| Cecueu, cHLcI W EDPiIS 'II"t 'iiC " S"1 AhoAA
interest would consider those concessions suf-
fcient, " although he admitted he did not con-
slider them enough, Unless the colonies accom-
panied them by improvements in their agricuI-
lure and processes of manufacturer
Of The debate which ensued upon this sub
iect, one OF the most striking features was the
astounding proposition of Lord George Ben,
tinck, who cooily and deliberately proposed
that, in consideration OF the debt OF 45.OoO',
900 due to us by Spain, for which the island
of Cuba stood pledged, England should fore
close the mortgage, seize upon the is lsand, e
eyt;ngnish slavery forever in the Archipelago
If the West Indies. The concessions of the
Government were considered by MIR. Goul-
burn, colleague of Sir Robert Peel, as ridicu-
Iously inadequate, but there appeared to be lit
lie prospect of the planters obtaining any more
satisfactory system OF relief.
| Sir Robert Peel observed marked silence
during the debate, being plainly OF OPINION
apparently, that the question was not ripe lor
final determination.