, 1875-08-25

Sir Graham said that sufficient was not
known of the proposals of the Government to
warrant the strong opinions which had been
expressed. He denied that Responsible
government" against which most OF the
speaking had been directed, involved any
other responsibility" than that of the
ministers to the people; and with regard to
p" Confederation" he said the object was " 10
secure an uniform and impartial administrator
of justice throughout the West Indies.
Barbados was prosperous, he ADMITTED, put
intercourse with neighbouring colonies woplo
increase its prosperity and raise still hlgaef
the value of the land. He said that under
the present system the best men would not
come forward as legislators, that although the
Government of the Leeward Islands had
made many plumbers, yet he was thankful
confederation had been effected there; and ne
gave practical instances of the Improvements
which had taken place in the Administration
of Justice. Altogether, the speech or Sir
Graham was a very able and courageous one,
and it appears to have had considerable eneot.
Indeed, the meeting as q whole was quite
worthy of the traditional reputation OF the
Barbadians for public spirit in defence OF Shelr
own. opinions and their rights. II is quite
refreshing to read the report of the discussion.
The time has scarcely arrived for an OPINION
upon the question to be expressed on thlS
side. From what was said at the meeting
it may be anticipated that the views OF the
Secretary Of State will soon be known Wnen
the whole matter will be legitimately open Tor
an exhaustive discussion.
The Demerara papers, when the ComoIned
Court is sitting, are always full of interesting
matter. There is the Governors speech, con-
tanning announcements relative to general
policy and a review of the financial position OF
the colony, and many important topics
connected with the prosperity of the colony
are sure to be brought up tor discussion.
Among these subjects that of the water supply
is not the least important. Mr.. Russell mas
rendered another very valuable service ~ lns
colony by the practical at en'ion ne ms given
to that subject. There are so many technloat
and local details involved that to give q full
exposition of this water. supply scheme would
REQUIRE considerable space. The great object
of course, is to store sufficient water so az 10
be independent of dry seasons, and TO provloe
against the enormous evaporation that Woulo
take place from a large ezpanSe OF water IN
that tropical climate. The Court fully discus
sed the scheme of Mr.. Russell and approved It,
with only one dissentient.
The debate in the House of Lords upon the
coolie question will be read with interest in the
coolie- receiving colonies. The able and spirit
ed defence by Lord Carnarvon of the colonies
against the ignorant assumptions and
random aspersionS Of Lord Stanley of
Alderley, is worthy of all praise. Lord
Carnarvon was particularly effective when
be commented upon the confusion that
ran through Lord Stanley of Alderley's speech.
The following sentences of Lord Carnarvon's
speech are very valuable -" With regard to
the condition Of the coolies, it was shown last
wear by Sir Bartle Frere that in Bengal the
coolies, under the improved conditions at pres.
ent existing, could not earn more than I'D. or
Cd. per day. 1t was equally clear that in
English colonies the same coolies could earn as
much as los. or lis. per week, with all the addi-
tional advantages of good houses in which to live,
proper medical attendance when sick, and a free
return passage to their own country if they
desired it at the end of their periods of service.
it was clear to his mind that those persons who
spoke of the coolie system as a modified form
Of slavery threw about words with a recklessness
and imprudence which could not fail to prove
miscbievous." If the Anti Slavery Society
were not incorrigible, these words might awaken
them to a little sense Of shame. But they
will probably 90 on in the same old bitter course.
Not the least noteworthy part of Lord
Carnarvon's speech was that in which he
broupht forward statistics showing the prosperity
attained by the coolies during their ~sojourp ip
the colonies.