, 1885-02-25

ing); LIST discussion vas not closed.
The election for the Committee took
place later.
2, Continuation of 1st Discussion ON
Draft of Ordinance containing addi-
tons to the Ordinance of 9th Septem.
TENDER 1853 concerning trades and
professions in the Danish West India
Possessions, applicable only to the
Island of st. Croix.
3rd Member for Christiansted WassardI
said, as he had been a Member of the Com
mission that had been appointed by the
Government to take this question under
consideration, he thought it right to make
ONE remarks now, and he would do so all
the more because it had struck him that
this Draft is very much different from b
proposals of the Commission, at least Of
the Majority, The purport of the Draft is
to improve the very unfortunate way in
which provisions and articles of daily sus.
~tenance for labOurers in the country are
distributed, and to redress the evils so
often complained of in that respect. In so
far as it was necessary for obtaining that
aim, the regulations affecting the trade
should be altered; but outside of that,
there was no necessity or desire to effect
any changes III the trading regulations in
the Island. If we look at the proposals
from tue Majority of the Commission, it
will be noticed that they contain exactly
such provisions as are necessary to redress
the evils complained of, and that they do
not go farther than is requisite. The Go.
vernmentS Draft Oh the contrary involves
70 q great extent encrOachments on the
rights of traders III the towns according TO
the existing laws the effect of the Draft
will be that the whole distribution of pro-
visions etc. will be placed in the hands of
retailers and other parties engaged in trad
ing. 1t was remarked last meeting, that
also planters could take out licenses as
hucksters to him it seemed doubtful if the
enactment in 5 5 Of the Ordinance of 9th
September 1858 would warrant that: but
at all events there could not be the least
doubt but that it would be Impractical, as
no planter could receive such a incense !;
for according to 5 5 of the said Ordinance
planters would not be allowed to employ
in such business any other assistance be-
You'd that OF their children or other mem.
bers Of their household; and a planter
would no doubt know to avail himself
better Of his own and his children's work.
The result must be that there would DO
established a regular trading business ont
side of the towns, in The country, entirely
against all existing laws regulating the
trading in the Island. 1t is true that the
trade is to be restricted to the sale of pro.
visions, petroleum, candles, etc. but he
could not see how it wodld be possible to
control this, and to see that the trade IA
kept within limits if there are established
so many shops us necessary fully 10 sup.
ply the want in the country, it would be-
impossible for the Police TO exercise con.
troll with them, and by and by all articles
indiscri minately will be sold from those
country shops, to the detriment of traders
in town; that will be but q natural, we
may say a necessary consequence, as per-
sons making their living by such sales
will naturally have a tendency to extend
the business more and more. 1t will fur
thermore be noticed that besides provisions
it is also to be allowed to sell liquors i'll
these country shops; this isa clause that
is particularly Objectionable, as it will be,
still more conducive of abuses. When we
look at the proposals from the Majority, it
will be seen, that the intention is only to
meet the most necessary demands In the
direction alluded to, but not to establish a
real trading business in the country dis
tricts. 1t is in the interest of the estate
prOprietOrs and the labourerS, that these
latter should be able to obtain the first
articles of provision OH the estates; there.
fore such sales are allowed on the estates,
but not everywhere in the country, as the
case would be according to the Draft OF