, 1881-03-26
10 tie Editor g tie 81. Crois Asis.
Dear Sir,

In your last number I noticed with much
satisfaction an article signed "Justicev
referring to the illegal sale of Rum Sc. on
estates by Planters and the detection Of
one of the participators in this illegal
trade.
For my part / have often thought Of
speaking in a public manner of this cvil,
which is positively running Rumshopkeep.
ers but as often RETAINED from 30 doing.
feeling convinced, that nothing-or next
to nothing-would be lone to remove it.
It would be the same old story of "Get
two witnesses and detect them in the act
and then complain here 2; as if a man
who carries on this illegal trade, would
not be on the Hqui viven to foil all
attempts at detection. On the other hand,
where is the incentive that would tempt
one TO inform on such individuals :
Wouldn't these purchasers, or others, not
rather retain the friendship of the planters,
and obtain cheap rum than inform on
them for no remunerative consideration
whatever?
How this business has in my ssown ex.
perience refrigerated for the past Q years..
the following can show: From 1s70-lS7s,
the weekday sales averaged about $i2,
besides, at that time. or most of that time
all the estates manufactured Rum, and
the laborers had Rum shared to them as q
privilege. Now on the contrary, from
1879, since the abolition of the Labor Act,
when privileges of this sort ceased. and
but few estates make rum, the average
sale is $500 daily; the cause of this
being, that Planters (of course there are a
few exceptions) have taken over the bust.
ness of selling Rum and Provisions on the
estates-Minus the incumbent $500 10 D. a.
Rum Tax. They sell now on the estates
without fear of detection. They go so far
as to imagine, and argue upon the matter
too, that while they manufacture rum they
can dispose of it in any quantity they
think fit in defiance of the Rum ordinance.
This | consider a base advantage taken of
Shopkeepers = AMI especially Rumshop-
keepers, who pay such a heavy Tax for a
privilege that is so indiferently defended.
Upon nearly every estate in the island, you
will find a Provision Shop, kept either by
the Managers or Owners wife, or their
housekeepers. Large Provision Stores
any sort of provisions at half price-from
the fact that they havo comparatively no
expense, and are not at all dependant on
the nett proceeds of that business for q
living. While the poor shop. keeper, hea<
Willy laden with an incumbency, is not able
to clear it for the want of Sales, (which
are thus ruthless1y taken away by Plant.
ers), and finally he becomes a bankrupt.
AS a further example of the many injus.
tees practised upon Townsmen, I notice
that Managers are sent in to load and
clear vessels, coopers are brought in to
cooper casks &C., and finally the gang is
used to do the work which belongs only
to licensed porters. Then in the name Of
justice, what are Shopkeepsrs Clerks,
Coopers, and Porters to dos They must
either abandon their former vocation, and
enlist in the country as laborers (the
planters thereby saving immigration ex-
penses) or, to use the cant phrase, "Cut
their sticks and double their ends., and
seek a home in a foreign land.
Before concluding / must here remark,
that l fully agree with "Justice" in his
view of the manner in which this evil
ought to be remedied and, unless those
measures which he justly advises be taken,
this evil will never be stopped-nor will
Rnmshopkeepers be able to exist much
longer.
There is only one hope now left us and
to Judge from His Honor the Presidents
address to the Colonial Council, wherein
he promised to benefit the Community in
every way, and do every thing that would
facilitate business, I hope that this appeal
will not be in vain.
Hoping Mr.. Editor that you will
excuse the lengthy space / have occupied
in your valuable paper.
am yours respectfully.