The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-02-23
WOES OF SUGAR PLANTERS.
THE RoIAJ COMMISSIONS INQUIRY
IN BRITISH GUIANA.

n Hs vsis That the Colony Depends Upon IN.
Sugar rnaustry-r H Doe. Not survi,,.
Every white MAN who Can DO SO win
Leave the Country-Sts Depiorsbie Condition.
KINGSTON. Jamaica, Feb. 1e.-Detailed report.
have reached this city Of the sittings held n.
Demerara, British Guiana, toward the close O,
last month. Of tho royal commission appointed
by the British Government to inquire into tho
condition OF the sugar industry In tho Yves,
Indies. The commission reached Domerara on
Jan. 20. and on the 2stb held It's first meeting.
Her Majesty's ship Talbot had been placed al
the disposal Of the Commissioner at Barbndoes.
and will convey them around the outer islands,
returning to Barbados to-day. Lady Grey nc.
companied her husband, Sir Edward Grey.
Great interest was manifested in British
Guiana in tho sittings.
Tho evidence presented was Of q somewha,
sensational description. and as from the char
actor Of the witness IL appearses to be absolutely
reliable, IL shows In a sufficiently painful light
the dcplorable economic condition Of the colony.
The Planters Association Of British Guiana had
prepared q tabulated series OF answers TO ques-
lions bearing on tho condition OF the staple
product, and these were read over TO the several
witnesses, who in the majority OF instances
amply substantiated them. The official element,
which was largely represented among tho wit
nesses, and which would not be expected TO take
too gloomy q view Of the prospects OF the colony,
strongly supported by official figures the state
monts Of the planters, and declared in uncquivo-
cal terms their belief that the industry, and with
II the colony. was In danger OF absolute ruin.
Tho association said that with prices ruling AZ
at present proprietors could not carry on their
estates, and no financial assistance could be OBJ
tanned to tide over until brighter times. Credit
had been destroyed, and IL was certain that
unless q rapid Improvement took place the ma
jority Of estates would be abandoned. In 1890
there wcro rs, 243 acres under cane cultivation
IN British Guiana; in, 1896 there were 90. 9os.
The capital Invested in the sugar estates, ma
chinery, buildings, &c. was about $40. 900 OO,
s5S.ooo.oSo., sugar eonstiiated p a saiiRp' ~;
Subject to no direct tax IT provided the
ways and means whereby 20 per cent. OF the
and molasses 'rcpresented nearly t6ree.fcnirTthb:
40 nnd value c;Ir" Of the .hs entire Re OK sspo ore OF the colony
ming up. the association said the eafstene Se% OF
being given e Inc industry. and that the en-.
bounty given in export. OF beet sugar BY CONT.
for the depressed condition Of the sugar Indus
try II this colony. No other remedy suggests
Three export witnesses. Messrs. Duncan, Jonea
and Lizard, bore out the statements made by tho
association; M. Duncan said he was q partner
vi tAAA NAetI ANoN WfI
being carried on with the object Of ABANDONING
them at any moment Nj; Lizard said that in
1881 he purchased a, onc:third share in an estate
for $4,000, the total value being estimated at
$l50,OOO. Since that time q considerable amount
OF capital had been sunk In II In machinery and
improvements, besides moro land being taken
up for cultivation and an adjoining property
a~malgamated with It. The present value Oh the
amalgamated estates was about $50, 900, and. II
put up for sale. would probably fetch only
A curious fact ELECTED was that estates in tho
hands OF absentee owners were generally In a
moro prosperous condition than those owned
and managed by resident proprietors. They
wore bettcr equipped than the other estates, and
tho absentee proprietor had often kept his
estates going during bad times with capital de-
rived from sources outside his sugar estates,
whom Q resident proprietor would have sue
cpmbed, owing to his inability to obtain nnan-
cial assistance.
Financial Representative Weber, a member of
the Court of Policy. said that minor Industries
could not DO developed to render the colony in
dependent OF sugar, except after many years,
The whole Government of the country depended
on sugar; II II did not survive they would not
could would leave tho colony, and the negroes
would fall back upon their own form Of govern
ment.
Tho commission resumed its sittings on Feb. 8.
but the evidence of the witnesses examined
proved, 40 . rule, merely corroborativo Of that
already taken.