The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-07-21
REPUBLICANS IN
SIGHT OF VICTORY
Everything Looks Like Another Sweep in
November---Burton May Come
Down All Alone

months to come, SO that until thai
time arrives, the sugar industry of the
world, so far as it is dependent on the
!, British market, will be left in a state
of uncertainty. except as regards the
European beet sugar production The
beet sugar crop, which is about to be
sown, viii be sown with the full
knowledge that it will continue to re-
ceive the enormous bounties which it
now receives.
80. There is consequently, in our
opinion, no hope of any improved price
for sugar in the immediate future: and
! the question to be considered is wheth-
er sugar production of our West Indian
colonies can be continued under the ex-
listing strain until September, 1908.
"a We have no hesitation in saying
that If nothing is done this will be i'm
possible. We admit that there may be
certain number of rich proprietors
who, in view of the prospects of the
convention coming into force will con-
tinue to carry on their estates, but the
great majority OF proprietors will be
unable to do so. Moreover, those who
do continue, @will reduce the amount
they allow. for the cost of production,
and hence wages will be everywhere
reduced to the detriment of the estates
and the working classes dependent
upon them, and consequently to the
revenue of the colonies
out what is mo doubt well known to
you, sir, that the effect of the bounties
has beer Immensely aggravated during
the last u months by the cartel sys-
TENS of Austria and Germany, and
hence has arisen the apparently rapid
development of a crisis which has been
hanging over the heads of the West
Indies for the last 25 years. We have
every confidence, sir, that you are we'll |
aware of the critical condition of these |
colonies, but we feel that we would be |
failing in our duty did we not express |
to YOU clearly and decidedly our view
Of the position We who have signed |
this letter are mainly instrumental in
for carrying on the estates.
Many of US will lose heavily by the
present crop, owing to the inability of
hose to whom We have made advances
'or the crop to repay those advances.
We have had, some of us, to consider
whether under these circumstances we
we're justified in continuing these ad-
'ances for another crop, and have de-
.ided that We cannot do so unless some
assistance is given by our
government to make such advances
airly safe.
'6. Present prices are leaving a loss
f from f2 to G. per ton on the sugar |
and we have, after very ,
areful reflection, decided to express to
ou our conviction that unless his 4
1aiestys government can see their way I
D relieve the strain by at least 50 per $
OH there will be a material reduction ,
I the cultivation of sugar in the West
ndies
~ 1t is for the government to con- ]
ider what this would mean. We have I
o wish to put forward an exaggerated .
r an unnecessary alarmist view, but
'e venture to think such an event is q
ne which no government could con- f
smplate without the gravest anxiety, Z
nd we have ventured to write this let p
n to you, sir, to exonerate ourselves o
ON all responsibility, by conveying to
OH our deliberate opinion in regard to Il
hat is required to meet the case. No Il
ne can absolutely predict the future, b
1T there is such a thing as tempting b
rovidence. 1t is our duty to give his d
ajesty's government the warning. On Il
lem must rest the responsibility of
ealing with it. We believe that these o
lonies are at the breaking point, and P
at immediate relief is absolutely nee 80
sary to prevent what we believe b
ould be serious calamity.
IS. In these circumstances we ven O.
re respectfully to request that you a
III be pleased to receive, with the
ancellor of the exchequer a deputa-
IN of the West India committee
hich may lay before you, verbally and
ore fully, the considera ton indicated
the above brief statement of the
uation."
IN forwarding a copy of this petition
nsul Sawter says: pe
1t is a fact that the sugar estates in &;
2 British West Indies are in serious x
ght. The heart has been taken out
the people, the long depression has -ie
numbed their energies, and they are IL
owing a dull, sullen apathy which ac
des no good In many of the dis hi
cts a spirit of recklessness has set in
lot lawlessness. but an irresponsible
regarding the higher relations of ret
= immortality is increasing and DIT
re open, and certainly the recent in or
ase of SIS per cent in the illegitimacy
. gives evidence Of this rel
In a recent interview with the cler thu
ot Antigua they tell me it is more
fcult to do: successful work. and =
ny are getting Respondent. The rea- =.
of this Indifference is not far to J
k. Everywhere there is crushing, hui
nding poverty, and where peoplej
e no money to procure healthy and "a
timate enjoyment they always get Ste
loraiized and resort to low forms VII
pleasure. linn
The poverty, especially in Antigua, dea
-oineth'ns Appalling II is scarcely the
latter for surprise then that LAT
ng feeling of resentment is being
tied The present heavy taxation
ot yielding what it should: il is di-
ishing industry instead of increas- d
ii. and retarding energy and en-
rise instead of stimulating it. Iur
append herewith the petition, core
ming it timely and of interest TO our app
arnment." mi
.e suntiry civil law for the current sia,
: year, which was signed by the nan