, 1882-05-03

sureS were taken, and upon returning to
the Colonial Office [ looked with very great
interest to see the result, and, from all I
gather, the measures appear to have
been successful. Hear, hear. The
coolies seem to be contented, and the
colonies appear to derive great benefit
from their labour. Although the census
has not vet been published, | am told that
as nearly as can be calculated the popula-
ton ofthe colony has increased to 244, 900,
being an increase of 81, 900 during the last
ten years. These figures show, not only
an increase in the population, but also
an increase of births over deaths. Hear,
hear. There is a point connected with the
coolies in which | take a great interest,
namely, that means should be taken in
every possible way to induce the coolies
to settle permanently in the colonies.
(GheerS). [ do not think that sufficient
attention has been paid to that subjecG in
British Guiana. In Trinidad, on the other
hand. considerable advances nave been
made in that direction hear, hear and in
MauritiuS with still greater advanta ge.
Indeed, in MauritiuS the number of
coolies settled permanently is SO large
that immigration has almost ceased from
the necessity for it having ended, and
there is every probability, i'll fact there is
a certainty, that there will be soon in hat
island a sufficiently large settled p0pula.
ton Of lab0urers-repreSenting a proper
proportion Ofmale and female residentS-tO
discharge all the work Of the place Hear,
hear. That is the object to be sought in
the case of the West Indies-a large resi-
dent labOuring population. In British
Guiana the scope is so large, the capital
that may be employed with advantage isS0
immense, and the country itself is so extern
Sive, that very many years must necessarily
elapSe before so complete a realisation OF
our object as that exhibited in MaurltiuS
can be attained. Meanwhile, however,
the whole attention Of the colony and the
Colonial Office should be directed to the
important question ofi|mmigration. | may
assure you that we nave it very fully III
our minds at the Colonial Office, and [ am
sure from what | nave heard here tonight
that it also impresses itself quite as much
on your minds. Hear hear With regard
to the Importance of British Guiana, you
all know that it may be measured by the
amount Of its imports and exports, which,
according to the last accounts, were Al
millions yearly. | hardly think that sutfi-
cient thought and consideration are given
to the immense colonies and possessions
that we have in different parts of the
world, or to the strength, the richness,
and the capabilities of some of the West
Indian colonies, Having overcome the
great blow which they received some time
ago, [ look forward to their entering upon
II very successful future. Observe, there
is one very remarkable change intended
| lOol upon it as certain, though it may
not be Immediate mean The construction
Of the Panama Canal. [Cheers. 1t is GER
tain that it will be made, and when once
accomplished the whole position Of the
West India colonies will be changed,
These will then he directly part Of one of
the great highways of the wOrld-hence [
feel they have a remarkable future before
them. (Applause.l 1t will be impossible
for me OF anyone to guage what that po-
sition exactly will be; but no one can fail
to see that the accomplishment OF that
grand project will involve issues of the
greatest momentifor our West Indian pos
sessions. Hence | would commend this
subject to the earnest consideration OF
those interested i'll these colonies. L am
we'll aware that the realisation of the pro-
ject may not be for some years to come,
but I look upon it as a certainty sooner or
later. | therefore think all those interes-
ted in these colonies should hold On"-lf
[ may use the expreSsiOn-in the tirm be.
lief that the time is coming when their
property will be far more valuable than it
has been at any period since the slave
emancipation. Hear, hear.) The pre-
sent position of British Guiana is on the
whole satisfactory. Its prosperity will, l
trust, continue. It's administration will, |