Omaha daily bee., 1905-12-31
HIGH HOPES OF TRINIDAD
Port of spain would Like to BE Com
mercial Headquarters of
West Indies.

LONDON. Dec. 3o.-(Special Cablegram to
The Bee Lord Duncannon this week said
that he hoped the views of the Victoria
league on the matter of a reduction of
postal rates on magazines and newspapers
between this country and Canada when
conveyed to the government would find
new ground to rest in and that the new
postmaster general would be able to re-
ceive their views before he had been wor-
ried and besieged by the thousand and one
objects that other people had in vi. -.
The first argument that was advanced
against them was that or revenue. There
probably would be loss of revenue; but
he hoped that commercial arguments would
have their place. He could conceive that
in this matter what was lost in quality
would be gained in quantity. On senti-
mental grounds alone there was much to
be said in favor Of a reduction of the
rates. The transmission for a low rate of
periodicals and newspapers from this
country to Canada would enable the Ca
madam people to keep in closer touch with
the objects. feelings and sentiments of
those at home
Mr.. Edgar Trip. commercial agent for
the government of Canada, writes TO the
London Times from Port of Spain, Trini-
dad, as follows:
1t is said that some feeling has been
of the Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad
TO subsidlze line of steamships between
y, Se% W. York and Trinidad to the extent Of
This feeling arose through a misappre-
hension. The Chamber Of Commerce did
not no. reSom m that subsidy should be
New York and Trinidad. What really oc-
CURED was this; Consequent upon the re-
contract with the Royal Mail Steam Packet
mail service between England and these
preached Trinidad direct, offering in re-
turn for subsidy of $500 yearly to CON
sp hIs the irst-elsss regular itinerary to
to grant extra freight facilities to foster
and assist the growing fruit trade and
Spain the headquarters of the line where
All intercolonial steamers connecting with
the ocean boats would meet for the re-
sengers to the other islands, British Gut
ana ana, the Spanish main, etc, thus making
Trinidad the main depot and center OF
west Indian trade with Europe. This was
a position that the Chamber OF Commerce
had long contended was due to Trinidad
6 by reason Of its geographieal and com:
the company therefore found favor with
a large majority of the members The
resolution giving effect to this feeling was
carried on August 8. Nearly a month later
viz, on September /. the ROYAL Mail
company announced its intention of ex-
leaving Jamaica. No member of the Cham
Der had the slightest idea that this extern
sion was contemplated when the matter
nrst came on 70, consideration and nothing
was further from anyone's thought than
granting a subsidy for line 10 New York
In opposition to the existing line TO Canada
The action of the dominion during recent
years In fosteii ing the imperial sentiment
by the practical means of preferential trade
and the warm interest IL has shown in
promoting commercial relations with the
British West Indian islands have been
fully appreciated by people here Fedora
tlon is In the air and many are looking for
ward to 1t with satisfaction and CONFIDENCE
THIS. then, is certainly not the time when
responsive business men Of the place would
say or do anything to create iii feeling or
friction with our fellow coloniats from
whom so much is hoped