, 1874-06-24

the matter to planters here, he had already
found it nearly a general opinion, that
only through the erection OF Central Fac
tories could the necessary improvements be
expected still, there might yet be some
few owners who would perhaps think it
better to establish on their own properties
a kind of Central Factory, with a limited
improvement Of the present works, and
we all know, that here are a number of
estate owners who might unite and by
their own means introduce a single esta-
blishment of this kind, instead of acting in
common with the whole island. But he
would beg to call attention to the fact, that
of the 50 Estates in the Island, 40 are in
sucha position, that if they are not to be M
braced by the benefits of Central Factories.
it is most doubtless that they will not be
able to stand but a few years more We
all must hope for better years than those
we have had of late, and that the coming
year Will make amends for the difficulties
OF the last 3 years. But then, it is not
reasonable to expect or to depend upon
that we should have another GOOD wear in
succession it would perhaps be more
prudent to be prepared for a bad one fol-
lowing the good, and if so, the troubles will
be renewed on most of those 40 Estates.
with the risk that all those properties
would entirely go out of sugar cultivation.
The result would then be, that the remain
ing properties would have to pay the taxes
and burthens of the whole Island, and
surely they would in this manner loose
more than what they perhaps might gain
by acting on an exclusive and single-hand-
ed principle. Besides, under the present
circumstances, he would say under the
present common calamity, everybody is en-
titled to expect, that if there be pointed
out a possibility of carrying out improve
ments In the manufacture of sugar, that will
not only benefit the Individual party but
the whole Island !; such proprietors there
fore, although they are able to provide for
themselves Individually, would feel bound
to do something in common with the others,
and tending to secure a general and per,
manent benefit to the Island. And here
he must say, that although the Govern
ment would a always be willing to assist
tue endeavours of private parties in every
direction, still the Government in a cues
ton like this would be more Indifferent
when there was no beneficial result to ba
expected for the whole community. He
therefore believed that it would prove be.
neficial to all parties, and that we might
start from this that everybody here in this
island would be willing to act in q com
mon spirit and interest. Now on the other
hand, it is well known fact, that we can
not obtain Central Factories without
assistance from eIsewhere-at present it is
uncertain where it could be got. He, the
Governor, had taken up the plan, as he en-
tertained the hope that he might find some
influential men in Copenhagen disposed to
enter on it; this is, however, only a hope,
and the money market is now so very diff
tcult that it is still more doubtful whether
we will be able to succeed. But let this
be as it may, it is our duty now to do all
what we can on our part ; and although,
as he had already remarked, there is no
certainty but only a hope, and although
we know that there are difficulties attend
ing the question at present, still he had
found it necessary and proper now to call
on the proprietors to give the sentiments
on this matter a real manifestation, which
could be used elsewhere when entering on
negotiations for the assistance which va