, 1885-06-24

And now Mr.. Chairman / think it right
that l should give the Council some account
of what was done during my stay in Dee
mark during last Winter in reference to the
subject of the Councils Memorial of last
November addressed to the King and
Diet, in which it was suggested that In
der the depression caused by the sugar
crisis help might be afforded to the colo.
ny in two ways, LIST. by obtaining q reci-
procity treaty with the United States OF
America similar to those which had been
made or were being negotiated for other
countries, and End by securing a protected
market in Denmark for the island sugar
by placing it as we'll as home grown sugar
on an equal footing with bounty PAID
sugar, namely by reducing the import
duty by 5 Ore per Id. l would state that
when | laid the Memorial from the Agrlcul-
tural Association before the proper au-
thorities, as well as in reference to the
Councils Memorial, | found that both
His Majesty the King and His Excellrncy
the Finance minister were willing 10 give
the matter every consideration and to
afford the island whatever assistance 1t
was possible to give. The way in which
this could best be done was at once taken
under consideration, and three points
were included III the considerations lEC
The financial position OF st. Crolx, 2lld
The probable effects of reciprocity t%reatlrSy
and 3rd The actual crisis in the market.
In regard to the first, the financial posi-
ton of the colony, the considerations
went back to the time of the Issuing OF
the Colonial Law, and 1t was admitted
hat by that law the burdens placed on
the Colony were greater than the recources
of the island justified. And as the same
1rn, +nV,n of 81 Thomas If WAS decided
that a Bill should be brought into the Diet
authorizing the State Treasury to take
over the military expenses, including the
military pensions, from the LIST April this
year.
Had this been done, and at the same
time an advantageous arrangement for the
Colonies, proposed in regard to their debt
to the state treasury, been Carried out
the result would have been that the Ordi.
nary income would have balanced the
ordinary expenditure. | beg to lay %
copy of the Draft of Law on the Councils
table for the information of members.
The second point considered was the
effect of the Commercial treaties, and i'll
regard to these it was known that a trea.
ty had been concluded hy the United
States with Mexico, also with Spain
so far as her West Indian colonies
were concerned and with Santo I)omin-
go; and there was also Il negOtiat;on
proceeding with England Oh behalf OF her
West Indian colonies AT the same time
itapppared that none Of these treaties had
come into force; but Il reciprocity treaty
with the Sandwich Islands, which hat
been in existence for a number Of years,
had been renewed for a further period OF
seven wears.
The principal objects which the United
States Government have in negotiating
these treaties are said TO be first to knit 10
the States by strong commercial bonds
those countries which belong geographical.
ly to Northern and Central America, and
secondly to promote the American manu-
featuring and shipping Interests.
In laying the Spanish treaty before the
Senate, President Arthur said that this
treaty and others Of a similar character
should be based on the condition of free
imp rtatiou or importation against re- =
duced duty of such articles as the States
required, in return for like privileges ac-
corded to American products i'll the
reciprocating countries, further that the
trade in these goods should he car
ried on only in ships bearing the flags
of the contracting parties. which ships
should he free from all tonnage dues
and have the same privileges as the coast
ing vessels. without, however, being al
AIA A-nIn ~ Fhn