, 1912-12-07

Financial Year down to the LIST November
1912, the repayment to be reckOned thus,
that those who have delivered canes to the
Central Factories (St. Croix Sukkerfabrik
Den yestindiske Sukkerfabrik, Lower Love
Factory and La Grange Factory, get 5 per
cent of the value of 6 lbs. muscovado sugar
per 100 lbs of cane reckOned according o
the custom house rate at the expiration or
the respective periods of payment, while the
rest get the 5 per cent duty paid in by
them at the custom houses refunded.
For this purpose will be required the
sum for which a grant is now sought.
HIS E.ccelency said, that it was a pitiful
fact and we'll known, that the sugar crop
for this year had not been satisfactory,
and the crop expected looked to become
even poorer; another known fact was the
serious difficulties under which the cane
cultivation is placed AS the sugar is the
staple product of the Island, Government
and the Colonial Council had to help.
The Export Duty must lie heavily on
the Planters. The Budgets balance is 50
close, that we can not afford permanently
to do away with the export duty; but the
accounts show a considerable surplus from
last year, Of which q part for this year,
could be a help for the cane cultivators by
the repayment of the export duty for the
year for the benefit of the cane cultivatOrs,
and for them only. His Excellency had
some time ago seen in the kilograms, that
in Barbados it was intended to call the
Council for an extra session to consider
what could be done to help the Planters
III the present poor circumstances. Already
before he had read about this step from
the Governments side in Barbados, he had
written home to the Ministry @bout the
present matter. He was so far glad to see,
that Governments opinion of these circum-
stances was corroborated by the act Of
another Government,
This Draft nov laid before the Council
contained no promise for the future, it was
only q step taken for this year. Circnm-
stances might turn up again with u poorer
condition for the sugar, and means from
the Council could then he considered. HIS
ENcellency hoped, the hon. Council would
accept this Draft IN the same spirit with
which it was meant from Governments
side, and referring to the remarks, he re-
commended it to the Councils favourable
consideration.
4th Member for Frederiksted Country
District (Iho1nbty9) remarked, that every
ole iii this Island depended more or less
on the sugar cultivation Such a proposal
had never before been brought before the
Council, and Government must be thanked
for it. Most of the Estates can hardly cx-
ist on the sugar cultivation; the planters
We're working hard and had to find the
money by loans. The money paid out ac-
cording to this Draft would be used in the
Island. He thanked His Excellency and
recommended the Draft for adoption.
End Member for Frederiksted Country
District (L"nney) seconded the last Speak
er. His Excellency had taken an active
part in everything concerning the Planters.
The Agricultural Station, the labourer
question, and now the refunding of the ex-
port duty. Surely the planters appreciated
all this; and the Members of the Council
should show their thankfulness by voting
for this Draft.
3rd Member foe Frederiksted Country
District (Blaci7coobl endorsed the remarks
81 the non. End and 18th Members for Fred
{ sted Country District. This Money
Bill is the most significant proof, that the
Government recognizes, that the Planters
IN this Island need oil the help they can
get. For 8 years the Island has produced
poor crops. He cOmplim ented His Fxcell-