, 1874-04-15

labOur from those which obtain IN the other
colonies of the West Indies, that the cost of
production would, on a limited number of
plantations, approach near to the estimate Of the
Reriev, but nothing is more taIIacious than
to found upon purely exceptional instances a
broad genera,isation. The great command of
labour in Barbados is peculiar to that colo
ny, for nowhere else in the West Indies do
the labourers pay rent for their houses on the
estates. The RerielU says that even if prices
are reduced 6S. to Is. on the present rates.
sugar could still he produced at a profit. 1t
my be stated without fear of contradiction
from anyone practically acquainted with
sugar-maki0g, that if such a reduction to ok
place cultivation would be restricted very
materially. Even if the market continues 10
its present state, it is difficult to see how the
existing area of production can be maintained.
As the statements of he Berier are calculated
to do some injury to the West IudIa colonies,
it is desirable that they should be refuted, and
this can be done most effectively by the colo
nists themselves, who have the best knowledge
for the purpose aud can speak with the great
est authority.
The practical accomplishment of the fedora
ton Of he Leeward Islands proceeds but slow
ly. The task is evidently a more difficult one
than was at first supposed. And it is quite
clear that no sufficient result has yet been
achieved to warrant the extension of the prin-
ciple to other groups of colonies. Governor
Irving attributes a good deal of the opposition
with which the scheme has been met to the
fact that it was not properly and definitely ex-
planned at the time it was propounded. But he
notices with satisfaction that after it had been
accepted there was a strong desire, even on the
part Of those who first opposed it, to make it
work successfully. AT the meeting of the
Council in October last, the members for St.
Kits were not present, owing to n proper want
of communication between the Islands. 1t is
essential that they must not only be made one
in name and theory, but in fact and if one of
the colonies is liable to be disfranchiscd by
want Of conveyance for its members, the result
is not satisfactory. Governor Irving admits
too that there has been a want of smoothness in
the working of the judicial arrangements, but
his Excellency promises that this will be OBJ
waited in the future. The work of consolida-
ton IS certainly proceeding, but slowly, and it
is admitted that it is only by the concurrence
and support of public opinion in the different
colonies that any progress is made. Some solid
good has undoubtedly been accomplished in
IS the enactment OF a valuable code of substan-
tive law in the colony at large" The argu-
ments in favour Of considerations, as detailed by
the Governor, are certainly strong, but the
mere TACT OF Isolation ana diversity IN judicial
and Government arrangements was in itself no
sufficient ground upon which to base a scheme
of union. That which was wanted was como
my, and an administration better paid, of a
higher order, and conducted by able and re-
sponsible men. There is no reason to doubt,
if the plan is properly worked out, that this re-
suit will be achieved, The Governor proposes
that the civil service shall be modelled on that
of CeyIon, with which he had himself been con-
nected. 1t is not a system of petty economies
that is proposed, but a reduction of from
80. 000I to 4 ,O0Ol. a year. In 1872 the cost
of Establishments and Services was 78.O00L.,
and the Governor now submits a scheme by
which this shall be reduced to the extent men
toned above. The plan involves so much de-
tail that it is impossible to Judge of it at this
distance, but it may be safely said that if no
loss of efficiency results the relief will be very
material, although those colonies of the group
whose expenditure is now the largest will pro
badly derive the most benefit. With respect
to the Improvement of the service opening a
career to colonists, the Governors remarks are
interesting. =" As regards the creation of a
public career, think that in a colony where
outside the domain of agriculture and trade
there is no field for employment except within
the narrow limits of the learned professions, the
creation of a public service, which shall take