, 1885-07-04
PR 0 E E D [ N GS
OF THE
FOR ST. CROIx.

Gil had heard with great interest the com
munication from His Excellency about his
labours for us during his stay in COpen-
hagen; 1t is much to be regretted that
the measures contemplated by Government
were not carried, but the failure is not due
TO His Excellency, to whom the Council
and the Community owe a great debt of
gratitude. He took upon himself to ex-
press this on behalf of the Council, being
sure that the Council will join him in this
respect.
The Members of the Council rose from
their seats.
The Chairman continued saying-that he
would at present conine himself to these
words he was sure the Council would
avail itself of His Excellency's suggestion
TO appoint a Committee to confer with him
on future measures i'll connection with the
same.
End Member for Christiansted LemmingI
as Chairman and Speaker of the Commit
tee who framed the Councils Address,
would beg to say a few words. His Excel
lency said that it is probable that if other
nations get reciprocity treaties with the
United States, then Denmark would get
one too; in so far as this would imply that
only when other nations obtain such,~yill
Denmark try to get the same,~he~would
OC& " OOSCA We IudU III ulISuU lIlCu NC Vi uO
use to US since if others get into the mar
ket before or at the same time with us, we
could expect no benefit in the market. He
would therefore beg to ask if it would not
be best for Denmark to obtain such a trea-
ty, or at all events the position resulting
from such treaty, before other nations,
even if it should last but l or 2 years be-
fore.
The Governor said he was aware that
such is the opinion prevalent among some
parties i'll the island the said opinion is
based on IN old Commercial Treaty be-
tween Denmark and the United States
containing the most favoured Nations
Clause, but he also thought that the same
clause is to be found in most Commercial
Treaties which America had concluded he
knew for Instance that the clause was in the
treaty existing with England. In the
States it is not considered that that clause
gives claim to any special advantages at
all events the United States Government
maintain that such advantages as are con
tanned IN the reciprocity treaties are only
given against compensation.
End Member for Christiansted Lemmingl
would observe, that st. CrOix should be
able to offer the same advantages in ex-
change to the United States as those given
by the Hawaiian Islands, that is duty-free
importation to the Island of goods from
the United States. He believed that &C
cording to the wording of the present Trea-
ty of 1926 between Denmark and the Unit
ed States we can claim the same position
or treatment in the States for our goods as
the most favoured nations, on compensa-
ton if such nations give compensation, or
without compensation, if those nations
have hat position without compensation.
The Hawaiian Islands give compensation
by duty-free importation there OF American
goods; the same compensation must be
considered acceptable from us here.
The Chairman said he supposed Mem
bers were rather unprepared to enter upon
o discussion of this matter now he would
on the Order of Day for next meeting place
the appointment of a Committee to confer
with the Governor on this matter and other
herewith connected subjects.
4th Member for ChristianSted's Country
District Raphael begged to enquire if it
were the intention to call au extraordinary
meeting, because time is going and we
are losing the chances of benefits.
The Chairman said he would be clad to
convene an extraordinary meeting at an
early date, at all events not later than
to-day a fortnight.
4th Member for Christiansted's Country
District Raphael proposed that the Com.
mittee be elected this meeting.