, 1888-06-02

# mduy IHuCuGuE0O UUliC OS JAN %
Planters. It is clear, however, that tue
Cocoa and Coffee planters benefit very
considerably By the constant flow OF fresh
labor into the Colony, even although they
may never employ an indentured laborer,
since this constant supply not only ena-
bles them to obtain labor, which might De
otherwise understandable, but also enables
them to get it at a much cheaper rate than
they otherwise would be able to procure
it. Hitherto it was a difficult matter for
small Cocoa estates to procure indentured
Immigrants, as their size and revenue
could not support a hospital and other re-
quirements demanded by the law to entitle
them to have indentured immigrants as
signed. This, however, was their mlSfor-
tune and furnished no valid argument
against the fairness of the principle OF con
tributing to the importation Of labor. BY
Ordinance No, 3 of last year, however,
a small estate without a duly certified
hospital may obtain a number OF lmlnl-
grants, not exceedingffteen, if the Govern
or is satisfied that there is adequate prOvi-
sion near at hand for sick Coolies. This
Ordinance will doubtless prove OF very
great benefit to the small Cocoa or Coffee
proprietOrS. Another question discussed
at great length in the Trinidad newspapers
in connection with this Tax, was, whether
it was paid by the consumer or by the pro-
ducer. For orr part, we have nO heSlta-
ton, 50 far as the a. on sugar aud mOlaSs-
as is concerned, in the present condition
of the sugar market, in supporting the
opinion that it is really paid 6y the pro-
ducer, Perhaps that portion OF 1T borne
by the Cocoa and Coffee planter might he
open to mach argument. However, Sir
William Robinson has adopted Il wise poll
cy in recommending to the Trade and FAX
es Commits sion, and through it to the Lee
giSlatiye Council, the abolition OF the export
duty on Sugar, Cocoa, and Rum, and His
Excellency ''IlaS no doubt that the abOll-
ton will ultimately be effected"
That portion of the Report which deals
with the Revenue and Expenditure of the
Colony is Of II very satisfactory character.
Whilst the receipts for 1887 reached the
figure of GIjG, 1G7, the payments amounted
to E424,924, showing IL balance in favor OF
the Colony Of over s931 900. The Estimates
Of the Revenue. We are tod, were in almost
every case exceeded, the Customs alone
showing an increase Of G2),235 over the
ExtimateS. The Expenditure, it is true,
exceeded that Of 1886 by G26,033 but this
figure Is scarcely excessive III IA large Is
land fast growing III population and M
creasiuy in wealth. We cave Sir William
to sum up his own impression OF taxation
in the Is and.
"Whep it is borne in mind that with the
exception of the rates levied III the BO-
roughs Of Port ofSpain and San Fernando,
Which comprise Il house tax Of 5 per cent
in the former and y per cent in the latter
place on the annual rent or value of the
properties situate in the B~Oroughs, Water
Rates which in 1887 yielded in Port Of
Spain G5,152, and i'll San Fernando 81 ,209,
and WHAT Dues Ill San Fernando amount
ing to 92,112 with Il few Market Tolls,
there are no local taxes whatever-nO
Poor rateS-nO Education or Church rates
no Highway or Police charges, but THAT
the INDECENT sick are maintained, Roads
are constructed and kept up-a large PO-
lice Force is suppOrted-SchoolS are pro-
vided and the Clergy is endowed, and that
all these charges are provided for out of
the general taxation of the Colony, it will
! think be admitted, that as compared
with other places where there is a more
settled population and whose requirements
in the matter of Roads are infinitely less,
the resident in Trinidad, be he rich or
poor, is very lightly taxed"
In connection with the financial cOndi-
ton of Trinidad, we are told its public
debt amounts to G562,440, Of which,
E551, $40, or over SO per cent, is due on
HI e VIC