, 1880-06-23

may be estimated at $40, 900; it is probably
more. The increase between the census
OF 1861 and 1871, was from AL, 900 to
100000 or $1,000. The same rate would
give more than $4,000 next year. The
number of sugar estates in cultivation at
this time is 22S; the labourers employed
upon them are of both sexes and all ages,
and | believe | an not much in error in
supposing that these estates do not on an
average give constant occupation to one
hundred labourers to each property. A
simple calculation gives a total of 1880
employed on sugar plantations out of o
total population of SIC, 900, contributing q
revenue for their own public necessities Of
rather more than half q million, or some
thing under q pound sterling for each head
OF population. Now these figures and the
fact to which they refer are very striking.
You may double my estimate of the num-
Der employed, though l believe it is am
pie, and yet you will not place upon the
sugar estates as many as the odd thousands
over and above the half million who are the
bulk of the taxpayers-the great mass of
consumers who furnish the revenue raised
almost entirely by duties OH imports and
excise.
The differences which may be drawn are
important. | think it must be clear that
this half million, who arc fairly we'll off,
and i'll some districts, such as Manchester,
remarkably we'll Off as peasantry, are not
to be indiscriminately written down as
worthless, lazy vagabonds. No one would,
Think, dispute the Importance to any com
muni'y OF a great industry which furnishes
a principal article of export, or doubt that
lis cessation, or any great injury to it,
would be a grievous calamity to the whole
community, deeply to be deplored; but I
have always been of opinion that it is
wisest and the best policy in the end to
look the truth boldly in the face. No good
is really obtained by deceiving ourselves,
and it seems to me impossible to suppose
that an industry which only directly en-
ploys about one-twentieth of q population
can be of primary Importance to that popu-
lation, which has shown itself very well
able to do without it. 1t is also notorious
to those who are acquainted with the
Colony that the part of tho population of
the best charac er are not those engaged
in sugar estates; and in the most prosper.
Gus dis ric s, such as Manchester, there is
little or no cane cultivation. Whether it
is a mere coincidence or not, the districts
are certainly not those i'll which the
absence of pauperism and crime are con-
spicuOus.
trust it is impossible that my audience
should mistake me so much as to suppose
that in calling attention to these facts l do SO
in any spirit unlriendly to the sugar industry.
On the contrary, 1 both hope and believe that
the cultivation Of the cane will be extended
and improved. l have had some opportuni-
ties for forming an opinion as we'll 10 the West
IUdies as in other parts of the world before
l went to Jamaica, and | am bold enough to
say that if sugar growing can be prosecuted
successfully in any British possession it should
be SO in Jamaica. There is no place where the
natural advantages are greater. But l am
satisfied that infnite mischief has been donetO
the interests of the Colony, great depreoia-
ton in the value of what may still be and often
Is very remunerative property has been
caused, by the misunderstanding OF questions
which Affect the welfare and progress OF the
community. 1t is time that its affairs should
b, looked at IN the same dispassionate light OF
critical exam ina alton which we use with respect
to other communities. We must discard en-
tirely the tone of the anti-slavery partisan aud
sugar planters champion on the one side or
the other. We ought 10 justice to them, Ger.
taiuly, to remember that the fathers .of,these
half million British subjects forty years ago
were slaves, and to remind ourselves how little
opportunity was afforded to them half a oentu-
ry since to raise themselves ia the social scale
or to elevate the standard of living after which
they should strive. But remembering this, for
my own part l do not hesitate to express my