, 1910-02-05

United States free duty and Cuba gets lower
duty than any other country. His Coy.
made nearly five million cigars a
year, 20 per cent consumed locally,
80 per cent in Central America. Did not
think there would be much market in Cana
da for Jamaica cigars, but would be for raw
leaf if given chance take place Cuban arti-
Gle. Commission continued Yesterday, mem
bers present Lord B~alfour, Sir ID. Morris,
Hon. Wm. Paterson, Messrs. Mccarthy and
Russell, technical advisers, and MIR. CoweIl,
Secty. Hon. II. H. Cousins said at present
banana represents free trade and
was rs per cent our exports, that we
want Mother-country give same privilege
as United States give their colonies with
regard sugar, want preference all British
sugar in home market, if this lone Jamaica
become larger sugar growing and allow
compete with beet. This would mean more
machinery from England aud same time
great development this Island. He said a
weekly service of steamers would greatly
improve volume Of practically reciprocal
trade Jamaica and Canada. The finance bill
passed in England has checked the rum in
duatry and leaves a doubt whether par
chasers in England will buy from uo, sugar
represented six per cent total export, so
preference on sugar minor matter. Ii they
could establish market ia Canada for Citrus
fruit would be boon to the industry.
Mr.. j.. r. Williams, who along with
NeSsrs Cousins and Shore were ap-
pointed Committee represent Jamaica
Agricultural Society, supplemented evidence
given by lLr. Cousins and thought with re-
gard transportation produce to Canada that
not alone were fast steamers required but
arrangements both ends for handling of
goods necessary, also an agent wanted who
should study here what we wanted from
Canada Mr.. Shore was not present, his eyi-
deuce viii very likely be taken tomorrow.
DR.. PringIe, GANG, banana planter, SAID he
believed improved steum commitment n be-
tween Jamaica and Canada would improve
trade, that Il fortnightly service and improved
fruit space without monopoly in regard to this
space was necessary He thought Halifax
most central port distribution in first in
stance and they could 80 to Montreal in
Summer, he also thought that Jamaica should
assist in Subsidizing a line Of steamers but
the question Of a subsidy should not be con-
tiugeut on a reciprocity treaty. Hon. j. Y.
Calder, another unofficial member Of Privv
Council, said his chief interest was sugar. he
agreed with DR.. Pringle as to fortnightly
service and our helping in substituting steam
ors running as fast us the New York and
Boston service, he said the Canadian pre-
ference has been of some advantage
to jamaica sugar planters. In answer
to Sir Daniel Morris Mr.. Calder stat
ed he did not think there was any
market in Canada for Jamaica rum. Mr..
c.. H. Farquhar5on next gave evidences in
interests of Westmoreland Sugar Planters
Association; he SAID at present time it was
d ubtfuI whether United kingdom or Cana
la was best market for coming sugar crop,
and he would like to emphasize this point,
that JNmaica growers got nothing from the
much yaunted Canadian preference, as it goes
into the pocket of the Canadian retiner; he
also said that it was not true that all su yar
shipped to Halifax was used there, ut was
sent on optional bill Iadin9 and on arrival
was found more profitable to send it to the
United kingdom, freight being the same as
if sent direct to United kingdom and it WIS
advantageous to jamaica grower to ship
via Canada, as he had benefit Of two markets.
Hon. w. T.. S. Nickers, another planter and
Custos Of We>tmoreland, said he had cousi-
derable interest in sugar industry and was
familiar witt trade conditions, and he voted
fol- the Canadian preference, he would like
to see it continued. Hon. ;. \. G. Cox said