, 1876-06-10
TIE WEST INDIAN IN LONDON.


The debate on the affairs Of Barbados raised
by Mr.. Charley in the Commons, on Mays
was generally admitted to be premature, but
from his own point of view that gentleman
was justified, in bringing the subject forward.
Ills speech consisted Of a very fair account of
the constitutional history Of the colony, and
of q criticism of the GOVernors's speeches to
the Legislature. Lord Frederic Cavendish
followed in defence Of Mr.. Hennessy. Lord
Frederic, on the authority of private letters
from a gentleman whose name it is not neces-
slry to mention, a few numbers Of she Barbs-
dos People. and also on the strength Of a flying
visit to the colony, lasting about a couple Of
days, which he made some years ago, spoke Of
the necessity for reform in the Barbadian instt-
~tutions, of the advantages of Confederation, Of
the agitation which he was informed had exist
ed even before Mr.. Hennessy arrived in. the
colony, and of the disloyalty Of Barbadlan
newspapers. In support of this latter point
Lord Frederic quoted a sentence from the
AgricuItural Reporter which indeed bias APP
peared in many English newspapers, and which
has done more harm to the colony, and more
damage to its cause, than anything which the
Reporter has ever said throughout it's long
career of personalities and abuse. Such papers
as the Reporter are a hindrance and not q help
to those who are fighting the battle of the
colony, and if the cause is not successful, the
Reporter will have much to answer for. To
return to the debate, Its NEST interesting
feature undoubtedly was the maiden speech of
Mr., IhornbiIl. TINS gentleman had a right to
speak as a landed proprietor in Barbados, and
although he seemed u little nervous at first,
yet he spoke with so much spirit and point as
TO win the cheers Of the House, and to fully
earn the congratulations which were subse-
Quently addressed to him by toe Under Score.
tary Of State. Mr.. ThosnhiIl's speech, in its
defence of the colony and its criticism Of the
Governors proceedings, was by far the best
In the debate.
The speech Of the Under Secretary was q
very fair one, and must have satisfied all par
ties Ia the controversy. Mr., LOWther spoke
with great clearness, and it was an effort
worthy of his reputation in the House. He
admitted that Her Majesty's Government were
In favour of confederation, but said that it
must come spontaneously from the Legislature
themselves. He described the cOmmunica-
lions which had passed between the Secretary
of State and the Governor, and especially
emphasized the Injunction "tO exercise the
greatest caution to prevent political agitation
among The native population lie could not
defend the conduct of the Governor, if the
latter had, as represented, taken an individual
part in the agitation. The Governors Ian
guage, which had been quoted, &" certainly
required explanation" Mr.. Lowther enlarged,
and justly 80, upon the difficulties incident to
the position of a governor in a West Indian
colony, and appealed to the House to suspend
its judgment until full details are known. He
spoke, however, very strongly about the alleg-
ed threat to dissolve the House of Assembly
if that body discussed a petition to the Queen
for the Governors removal, and said cit was
impossible to conceive that a colonial governor
could do anything so unconstitutional"