, 1876-07-29
THE WEST INDIAN IN LONDON.

The Sugar Convention question still remains
unsettled, and it is now a matter of negotiation
between the different Governments as to when
the proposed new conference shall meet. II
Is understood that the delay is with the French
Government, who will not agree to any basis
likely to be useful in establishing a system for
suppressing b%ounties.
Assuming that Cuba has d population of
100000, the new Budget represents a sum of
1901. to be paid by each individual, without re-
gard to age or SEX, free or slave.
The Times has declared itself in favour of
Barbados being made q crown colony, and there
is no doubt it correctly indicates the policy
the Secretary of State is willing to pursue if
circumstances are favourable. And the Gov.
prnor, in raising such questions as the
land tenure at the present moment
questions which had no connection, how
ever remote, with the recent riots, and
respecting which there is no shadow of discon-
tent among the peoples pursuing a course
which cannot fail to produce most unsatisfactory
results. 1t is understood that some further
correspondence of a most important character
has taken place between the Colonial Office
and the West India Committee, and in some
quarters there is a belief that Lord CarnarvOn
must soon make a statement to Parliament
announcing. the decision of the Government,
aud putting an end to the present era Of uncer-
taiuty. This, in justice to the colony, for surely
the colony has some rights, and is perfectly
cntitl d to demand an early decision-the Sc
cretary of State will be sure to do. Mr.. Lowe
in a recent speech, said that the smallest colony
which possessed representative Government
ought to be treated with as much Difference
and respect as the largest colonies in the empire
and, it may be aided, on every ground of
equity and statemanship Barbados is entitled to
a fair hearing and speedy decision, and above
all to immunity from attacks by official pens.
The report, irrelevant as it is, appended to the
Bridgetown correspondents letter in the Times
Of Juna II, is 4 significant fact to those who
can read between the lines.
Mr.. Bouverie's speech at the Colonial Com.
pany's meeting was full Of interest It is we'll
known that the past twelve months have not
been favourable for West Indian or indeed any
other kind of business. Sugar has been at a
price uBprecedentedly low, which fact of course
told considerably upon the profit of the $4,000
tons produced by the company s estates, Mr..
B0uverie remarked that the unfavourable aspect,
of affairs was not peculiar 10 the West Indies,
In Queensland, "the result of the operations
in connection with sugar cultivation was dis
%astrous. III Cuba the production Of sugar had
also been Improbable, and the same remark
applied to the beet-root sugar produced in Eu-
rope, and there was reason to believe that &
good deal Of that cultivation had been aban-
doned." Mr.. Bouyerio further said that the
foreign bounties chad operated very materially
to beget production" The production,
founded upon the forced labour system Of Gu
ba, " which had been something like one-third
of tie whole sugar production of the world
was not likely to last" AS to Cuba, che
could not but think that the beginning of the
end was very visible, because by all accounts
the social, political, and economical condition
of that country was as bad as it could possibly
be-" The speaker then referred to the signs Of
improvement in the ZONE market, which meant
the advent Of better times for the company,
and the British colonial interest generally
The shareholders were also congratulated
upon the complete success of the Trinidad usinet
The shareholders fully ond cordially accepted
the chairman's statements, and confidence in the
able management ofthe cOmpany's affairs was
very warmly expressed.