, 1882-03-29

Committee received a memorial from
planters, suggesting that it be enacted
that manufacturers shall not sell rum in
smaller quantities than 100 gallons: the
said memorial is signed by the representa-
tiyes of 46 Estates, while for 26 Estates
there are no signatures; consequently, this
is about "a D. CT. and not, as stated in the
Minority's Report, 50 p. CT. of the plant
ilg proprietors. But the Majority could
not recommend such a heavy restriction;
for the question is not, as supposed and
represented by the Minority, if planters
shall now be allowed to sell Rum in guam
titles of 5 gallons; planters have a perfect
right to dispose of their produce in what
ever quantities they will, to the best advan-
tage. only not to sell rum in smaller guam
titles for immediate consumption; the
question is now therefore not of any privi-
lpge to be given planters, but if a right of
theirs is to be restricted. In this respect
the restriction, if to be made, ought GER
tainly not to have a wider extent than is
absolutely required for the purpose desired
or the object aimed at. If sales of rum by
planters were restricted to 100 gallons,
persons trafficking on estates with rum
would buy it in town, where they can get
it in any quantity if such a restriction
we're put on planters, the evil would con-
tinue Just the same, and planters would
therefore in no way benefit by the ~restric-
ton. In fact, the only party that would
then be benefited, would be the Rumshop-
Keepers; and while the Minority expresses
the view hat it is the duty of the Govern
ment to protect the holders of rum-liCenSes
in town, who pay a heavy tax, it should
be borne in mind, that the present Draft
has had no such intention; at all events it
has certainly not been the intention Of the
Majority. Ihe intention has merely been
TO do away with the evil complained of,
and to propose measures to that effect.
He agreed that license holders are to be
protected; but it should not be done at
The expense of others; the result Of the
restriction proposed by the Minority
would only be that planters would be
deprived of a right without deriving any
benefit to themselves or their estates. If
the Draft. when it has emanated as law,
succeeds in SuppreSSing the evil, already
thereby would the holders of Rum-licenSeS
in town be benefited, as the illegal sale Of
rum on estates would be stopped, and con
Seouently more rum would be sold from
the townS.-The Minority next observes,
that the Majority in framing its proposed
new draft has overlooked that there might
be other persons residing in the country
districts, besides planters and manufac-
turers of Rum, who ought also to come in
under the general prohibition against sell
inc rum below a certain given quantity.
This is a mistake; it has not been over
looked by the Majority; but the thing is
this that according to the existing laws
all others in the country are already pro
hibited selling rum, therefore there was no
use to propose a new law against such
sales. The only exception from the prohi-
bition against trading with or selling rum
is that in favour of planters, who have a
perfect right to dispose Of their produce,
as such sales cannot be considered to con-
stitute trade.-In conclusion he would beg
to remark, that there could be some cases
of illegal trade with Rum where the enact
ments of the Royal Ordinance of 9th
September 1858 would find application,
but the Committee had not found it neces-
sary to propose an alteration of that Ordi-
nance. because the intention with this
Draft is only to deal with the matter of
illegal sale of rum in small quantities,
while the instances in which the said
Ordinance would find application would
be those of sales Of larger quantities.
With these remarks he recommended the
Majority's Draft.
2nd Member for Frederiksted's Country
District ~(JunghanS) regretted that he could
not agree with the Committee. The Majo.
rity had stretched the matter to too great
an extent when it proposes that the prOhi-
bition against the sale of rum by planters
should commence with 8 gallons. This
would make things worse. 1t is well