, 1874-02-21

It is satisfactory to see from a letter written
to tie Times by the West India Committee,
that the refnprs are not alone in their endea-
yours to obtain an amendment of the Conven-
ton. It has often been stated in these columns
that the question Is one which deeply con-
Germs the West Indies, and the representations
addressed TO the Government by the princi-
pal importers of West India sugar cannot
fail to obtain attention. This movement is a
proof that the bounty on the expectation of
French sugar to this country is seriously affect
ing the market here to the detriment OF Colo
NAL produce. It may be said that II the
French Treasury choose to pay a large annual
subsidy to their %refiners for the purpose OF
cheapening. sugar for the English consumer,
why should our Government interfere 7 The
answer is, that the bounty is a gross injustice,
that sugar is made cheaper, not by natural
course of trade, but by purely artificial and
arbitrary means-that the bounty IS maintained
in sheer defiance of plain international engage
ments, and that if the English market is given
over entirely to the French, with their clammy,
evil-smelling b%eet-root extraction, the time
may come when the English consumer, though
he may get his sugar a little cheaper now, will
regret being quite at the mercy of the produ-
GERS across the channel.
The dreaded famine in India seems to have
made itself felt, and the movement in favour
of prohibiting the export of rice has been reviv-
ed with greater force than ever. 1t is under
stood that in the event of the prohibition be-
coming necessary, the Indian Government will
consider the ~propriety of making an exception,
to a limited extent, in favour of the cOOlie-im-
porting colonies. The VicerOy has assigned
5000 J. for emigration to Burmah. Why does
not His Excellency assign another 50,000L. for
emigration to the West Indies? Does it not
seem a startling inconsistency to send back
from the colonies s~hiploads of immigrants to
the famine-Stricken districts Of India, while the
Viceroy is spending heaps Of money to get the
people away from those districts? Should it
not be explained to the coolies in Demerara
and Trinidad what is the state of things in their
own country, and a consideration in money,
perhaps, offered to them as an inducement to
stop in the colonies It is probable that an
der the circumstances many would determine
to make their home in the place where they
have acquired property by their labour, and
settle dow as permanent residents.
1t was announced the other day, with a great
flourish of trumpets, that the Macao COOIi0
traffic had been abolished. Some doubt as to
the truth of this piece of news was expressed
at the time, and a curious commentary is af-
forded upon it by the account of Mr.. Sampson
the Emigration Agent at Canton for the Brit
ish Colonies, of some proceedings of Macao
crimps They had the boldness to go into his
depot in the guiSe of emigrants, and endeavour
to induce the people who were bound for the
British Colony to go to Cuba. These crimps
receive a large sum of money for every poor
wretch they kidnap, and they are consequent
~ not afraid of running considerable risks in
oarrvin0 nm this unnatural and 6iSUra cpful
occupation.