, 1888-03-07

@COC lbO ( ! y, tNlt
1921 acres, have produced a crop Of 2871
hogSheadS larger than that which in 1853
'oO1 lab0rerS produced flom 1929 acres
win a rainfall of II lines greater than in
1886. -
Ihat proves undoubtedly that the pre-.
sent iaO0ur force, although less numerous.
Is nor Inferior, but superior, in efic ency to-
the labor force in 1865.
consequently the statistics do not prove
any great want of labor.
III Iart 10 decide the question properly
II would he necessary to know at least
approximately the number of labourers
LecessIIy for the cultivating say 100 acres
III cane cultivation. THAI of course ia
difficult to know, but he would venture to
put NE question to the planters present.
whether they would not be satisfied if they
lad say 80 %IahourcrS, Of different classes
IN due proportion, to work each 100 acres
III cane cultivation.
He thought thai; was about what was
Wan'ed, but that is also what we have. viz:
for 10000 acres 1865 lab0rs according to
the statistics quoted by the Committee.
Inc MI Says that out of that
number 1000 are working as suua!ters.
and therefore of no use to the estates. bnt
that Is very exaggerated, an it is we'll
known that a certain number Of the SQUAT
trrS work as porters on the estates.
de had no doubt that there was a want of
labor, but it can not be universally felt.
the want must be a local one limited to a
certain number of estates, which FOR differ
ent reasons are not so well provided with
ldb"urerS as other estates.
One OF the arguments brought forward in
support OF The proposal il that the plant.
erS cannot afford to pay their share of
the Immigration expenses.
10 mat argument he could only say
that from the records kept in the court. Of
the mortgaged debt of the estates. it,
appears that the greatest number of the
estates are IN a very good financial posi-
tlon, ana that only Il very limited number
are oven charged.
The Governor hoped he had succeeded
III showing that he had serious reasons for
not faVouring the Draft aud the amcrd.
latIIt, ana that 1t was only in the interest
of those planters, who are really in want
OF immigrants, that he preferred the exist.
ing rules.
Under these rules the whole fund #
immigration so to say is at the disposal of
those planters, under the proposed new
rules it would not be so.
NV AZ iHS lVlCo opINdlCQ " ulUI very
good and jndiclous and it would he difficult
to replace them with something better;
We should therefore be very careful for
immigIatiCn's own sake before We alter
them.
He advised to defer the question until
the parties interested had had time to make
themselves acquainted with the proceedings
of the present meeting.
Until then he reserved Governments
position, but he would say at once, that
he considered it doubtful, whether the
Home Government would allow the fund
collected under the existing rules, and to
which the Colonial Treasury had contribnt.
ed a large part, to be expended under the
proposed rules.
2nd Member for C~hristiansted's Country
District (LeecY From the view His
Excellency takes of the Draft, His Excel.
lency fears that the passing Of the Draft
would be productive Of no benefit. but
even lean to untOward results. But he
Ieevy) differed in hat view. Til, re would
be no IuSh for immigrants, and they would
not be imported IN large numbers, because
they are not TO be had. The thing itself il
not to be used as a plaything; they are to
be employed as labOurers and wages are
to be paid them, consequently no one will
employ immigrants unless be knows be
can pay. The intention is to benefit the
planter and the lAbourer. His Exc4llencv
mentioned that 30 ,bOurerS would he snf.
H.ia. fp 1n0 opn, Ly.nko L..