, 1885-10-31
P R OC E E D N GS
OF THE
0OWmGo9
FOR ST. CROIX.

4th Member for Frederiksted's Country
District (McDOnGldJ stated that although
he hail but lately come to the island, amt
had had but slight experience in the pre-
sent system of labour, yet it seemed to him
to meet the requirements, and the present
Draft, should it become law, would be high
~ Objectionable to planters.
He would therefore recommend that the
matter be shelved for a time.
3rd Member for FredelikSted'S Country
District IL. Wilson, thought that he had
given good reasons for the stand he took
at present, notwithstanding he, az one OF
the Commission appointed to frame the
Draft, had hitherto declared himself i'll its
favour.
He would reiterate that the island is not
today what it was 2 years ago. Govern
ment had allowed the proper time to intro
duce the present Draft, to pass them. he
thought it better to shelve the matter for q
time.
LIST Member for Christiansted's Town
District (Willard) said that he also hap
pened to be one, who years ago took u
lively interest in the framing of the present
Draft and although yet Interested in any
measure intended to benefit the commune
ty, he would say that the prospects OF the
lSldI1u AdtO OIOlIECl lttC AAtAih9 Wv -
last years, which make the adoption of the
present Draft IA matter Of doubtful advlSa-
bility. The Government had introduced
certain clauses in the Draft which have not
met the views of the planters. In all the
Drafts regulating the labOur question III
this island which he has had brought under
his notice, the "medical aid question" has
always been the stumbling block. AS re-
CARDS the establishment of nurseries, and
employing of nurses he thought It inprdc,
ticable, as it would appear i'll the Draft
that the physician could demand trained
nurses, a burden which no estate could
agree to accept. If the Government would
withdraw certain points i'll the Draft, we
might arrive at some issue. He would
therefore recommend that the matter be
passed over to a committee.
4th Member for ChriStianSted'S Country
District (RaphaeD begged to agree with
the last honorable Speaker and would
second the proposal of appointing a Com
mittee to report upon the Draft.
End Member for Frederiksted'S Country
District (HeWitD would make an ObServa-
ton regarding the medical aid question,
viz: that by adding something to the sala-
ries of the public physicians, these might
attend the labourers on the estates. Should
the present Draft become law, then MT
tiers will stand as they did before 1879 and
old troubles will break out again.
The Chairman stated that az the Draft
was a Government measure, it could nei-
Their be postponed indefinitely nor shelved
altogether at this LIST discussion. He
would therefore request the honorable 3rd
Member for Frederiksted's Country District
to name some definite time Of postpone
ment.
Ord Member for Frederiksted's Country
District WILSON, proposed a pOstponement
OF II months.
The Governor would advise honorable
members not to postpone the Draft.
End Member for Frederiksted's Country
District (HeWitO said that if the Govern
ment would take the responsibility of re-
munerating the planters for probable losses
incurred by passing the Draft now, he
would nave no objection to its passing.
1t was then decided by vote % against 3
that the Draft should not be postponed,
whilst the proposal that a Committee OF .
members be appointed to report upon the
Draft, was adopted unanimously.
2. End Discussion on Draft of Ordi-
nance for st. Croix containing additions
to the Ordinance Of 9th September
1858 concerning trades and professions
in the Danish West India Possessions.
The 3 first sections of Governments
Draft together with the LIST Section of the
Committees Draft were opened for discus
sion.