, 1874-12-19
THE WEST INDIAN IN LONDON.

a nl&nlyA lUHueutiHI ueputdtIUn IEoM tue
West Lndia Committee waited upon the Score
sary, of State for India on the 11th. No de-
tails of tho interview are published, but it has
bean ascertained, by inquiries at the office of
the Committee, that the result was satisfactory.
No other issue could indeed have been anti
cipated. Il is not known what facts or argu-
ments were laid before the Marquis of Sails
bury by the deputation, or what was the exact
object oil. the interview. But it may be said
chat the Indian Government have every reason
for encouraging emigration. The density OF
the population in India, now estimated at no
less than 300 millions, the constant and lncreas-
ing struggle for the bare necessaries of life,
the ever present risk of famine, the eminent
benefits to the coolie who takes advantage of
the means of emigration-theso are surely
powerful reasons. The benefits of emigration
30 the West India Colonies, too, would also
weigh with a Government like that at present
in power, for the most important and glowing
passages of Mr.. Disraeli's speech at the
Lord Mayors dinner were devoted to the
auction of serving the interests of the
Colonial Empire Of Great B:itain, and main
tanning the bond of union intact According
to appearances there never was a time when
a more general agreement existed among
people whose opinions carry weight as to the
advantages Of coolie emigration. Even Sir
0OOTK0 AduUUEiII IA u ANSOu1 TX ~ {"
Scotch Chamber Of Commerce, did not strike
a discordant note. He apparently found it
necessary to put forward a defence of his
restrictive policy in this matter during the
earlier part of his official career in Bengal. 1t
is easy to understand such a policy being
adopted under a misapprehension Of the rea!
etate Of the case, and to do Sir G. Campbell
justice, that policy was not persevered in
after it had been coucIusiVely shown that
The prejudices against the emigration were
without "a shadow of foundation. There are
MANY points in which the working Ct the
emigration might be improved, and these have
been discussed from time to time in this col
umn. All that is wanted is that tho system
should be placed upon such a footing as to
develop its capabilities to the full, and yield
the utmost benefit possible to India, to the
emigrating cooie, and to the colony he
makes his home.
Mr.. w. Bancroft Espent returns to Jamaica
by this mail. some very excellent samples
of cigars made from tobacco grown on his
estate of Spring Garden have recently been
seen in this country. The capabilities of
Jamaica for tobacco planting have been men
toned before in this column, and these are
further Illustrated by the Spring Garden
cigars, which cannot be distinguished from
good HaVanas.
It is satisfactory to see the efforts which
are being made to provide for the education
of the coolie children in Jamaica. A move
ment is on foot to establish mission schools
10 Buff Bay, and there seems little doubt
that this will meet with hearty support both
in the colony and at home. An opportunity
will be taken to refer to the details of the
scheme.
Petitions to both Houses of Parliament
upon the subject of the sugar convention
have been largely and most infuentially
signed in Jamaica, and are now in London
awaiting the opening of the Session for pres
e~ntation.
Nothing further has been heard of the
retirement of Sir William Grey from the
Government of Jamaica, and it may there.
fore be assumed that the rumour referred
70 q fortnight ago is without any foundation.
The amount of money that has been spent
upon the irrigation works is already very
lsrte, and It's increase cannot be viewed
wifhouEasosne anxiety, but the Government no
doubtifssl assured that the early completion
of a4psoftable and reproductive work will
sufficiently justify the expenditure.
The mortality in the overcrowded island
Of Malta has been very large during the