, 1912-01-24

the traditions of Kew and ungrudgingly de-
voted himself to Colonial matters.
1t Is true that at the present time the cir
cumstances of our tropical Colonies and Pro-
tectOrates have rendered it necessary to pro-
vide additional scientific assistance, beyond
the domain Of Kew, in order to meet their
requirements This is in course of being
provided by the chemical and other labora-
tories and equipments, and by the large
staff engaged in experimental research, tech
meal trials, and commercial valuations at the
Imperial Institute. In addition, the Direc-
tor and his assistants are charged with the
duty of undertaking special inquiries with
n view to the crention of new openings in
trade and the promotion Of industrial devel-
opmonts.
Another agency that in recent years has
proved increasingly helpful to the West In
dies is the West India Committee. This is
an association of planters and merchants and
others interested in the West Inlies, having
for its object the promotion of the general
welfare Of the Colonies, and by united action
to further their commercial interests. The
fortnightly publication known as the Wet
India COMMITTEE CtrcuLUr is comprehensive
in its aim and objects, and it undoubtedly
serves as a valuable means Of co -ordinotin9
information relating to the West Indies,
while at the same time bringing tho Colonies
into closer relation with one another and
with the mother Country. With the co-ope-
ration Of local exhibition committees in the
Colonies, the West India Committee has lat
terly interested itself in securing the repre-
sentation Of West Ind an products, and espe-
cially fruit, at the various exhibitions held
in this country. 1t also organizes popular
lectures on West Indian subjects, and sup
plies information to intending settlers and
-::I .. n W.T. T.1.., M, Wet f.,
dian Club affords additional means of bring
ing together those who are directly OF midi
rectly connected with the West Indies, and
of promoting a community of interests on
social lines.
Returning to the work of the Imperial
Department of Agriculture, | may cite u
paragraph from II memorandum by Lord
Islington, attached to the Report Of the re-
cent Royal Commission, as follows: L was
deeply impressed by the value of the work
lone by the Imperial Department of Agri-
culture and by the greatness of the possibi-
lties which still lay before it; the revival Of
the cotton industry, and consequent ~restora-
tion of comparative prosperity to some Of
the small islands; experiments with the sug-
arcane; the discovery and destruction OF IN.
sect pests these were IN themselves great
achievements. In my opinion, however, an
even more ValulDIe WORK mas OeelE Gone Ill
diminishing the prejrdices of agriculturists
and inducing them to try new methods and
il intoxicating the value Of science and CO.
operation. -. The most successful fruit of the
Report of the Commission Of 1897 has been
the work of the Imperial Department Of
Agriculture, which has beyond doubt saved
tile Home Government from appeals which
could not wholly be rejected and would have
cost more than the total outly on the
Department.
In the Report the Commissioners express
tue opinion that the Department has been of
enormous practical ability to the West Indi-
au Colonies and has had a large share in the
gratifying improvement in the condition of
the Colonies which has recently been appar-
ert We consider it of the high
est Importance that the Imperial Govern
mont should continue for some years to como
to maintain the Central Office of the Depart
ment.'
It is satisfactory to learn that the recon-
raendation of the Commissioner IN this re-
spect has already received careful considera-
ton, and that the Imperial Government has
agreed in principle to the continued main
tenance of the Central Office Of the Depart