, 1874-04-18

~ 10 lHOlCdSlhS every ycdI' WIN IAO
countries of the Southern half of the Con-
t%inent, with the exception ofGuiana, there
is but little trade carried on, and that chief
ly with the Plate river, since the establish
ment of the Telegraph, of vessels calling
here for orders. The position of Barbados
to Wlndward of the chain OF the Antilles,
and in the track of vessels from the South
Atlantic bound to the States or TO Europe,
attaches an Importance to it, that must
increase with the extension Of commerce
In the Southern Ocean. Another con-
sideratlon is of the climate of the West
Indies the Islands are healthier than the
Mainland, the settlements upon which are
generally at the mouths of great rivers,
subject to malaria and mosquitoes. The
increase OF the population of Barbados, is
due to the greater salubrity of the climate.
the abundant water supply, and the faciIi
ties tor sea bathing. Barbados supplies a
large contingent of labour and population
to Demerara every year, and 10 conse-
quence, there is a larger trade carried on
between the two, than between Barbados
and all the others put together. Now
Demerara has unlimited resources the
large sugar estates are all Central Facto-
ries, producing from 1000 to 5000 tons
of the finest quality sugar. The produc-
ton at present averages about $1,000
tons, and there is only need Of time, capt.
tai, and lahour, to augment it to a million
of tons. 1t is the most hourishing Bri-
fish Colony in the West Indies. Trini-
dad is a growing Colony also and rs they
lie at the extremity of the chain of Islands,
the position of Barbados in their neigh
bourhood and to Windward of them, gives
it additional value as an outpost and @
commercial centre. Governor RAWsON
has directed attention to a further advan-
tage derived from the position Of Barbados
as affording the most eligible site for q
Meteorological Observatory, and for the
transmission by Telegraph oil thro' the
Islands to Washington, of the changes of
weather, and approach of Cyclones in the
hurricane season, which generally arise in
the latitude of Barbados, sweeping across
the ocean in a N. w. direction, by which
means timely notice of them might be
given to mariners, and precautions taken
by vessels in port or about to leave, against
the danger.
Reference to statistical returns will show
the value of the commerce carried on be-
tween Great Britain and her Colonies in
the West Indies. On the whole the val
ue of their Imports and Exports is about
equal. The greater part of the Exports 60
directly to the United Kingdom, and o
large portion Of the Imports, consisting Of
merchandise and manufactures is also OBJ
tanned from there, giving employment to a
great number of British ships. 1t is fur
Their to be considered that not only is
this profitable trade in the hands Of British
merchants, but the shareholders of the CO.
lOnial and other Banks, are for the most
part Englishmen as we'll as the owners of
a great number of the sugar estates and
other property in the West Indies. 1t is
not too much to say, that nearly one half
of the annual profits Of the sugar c%ultiya-
ton of the West Indies, directly or indi-
rectly, goes into the pockets Of absentee
proprietors residing in the United Kingdom
or elsewhere. The West Indies afford a
profitable investment for British capital,
and a good market for British manufac-
lures. They also give employment to a
considerable number Of persons sent out