Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-08-13
JAMAICA HAS HAD
SERIOUS SETBACK
IN HER COMMERCE
War Prevents Marketing of
Products Grown With Aid Of
First Good Rains in Several
Years.
Nssocinted Press CorrespondenceJ


war conditions, yet jamaica, on ac-
count of the pershable nature of it'
principal commodity - bananis-ha
had a more serious setback than amy
ether of the British West Indian col
ones The sister colony Of Trinidad
ia more favorably placed ON account
Of better shipping facilities offered I'm
neutral and British vessels
The effect of war conditions ia
Jamaica Is exhibited i'm the ustoms
collections Since August. 1914, im-
ports and exports have decreased
twelve per cent while excise revenue
has fallen To an even greater extent
The falling off mi exports is due all
most entirely TO the lack Of adequate
shipping
Coffee Exports Hit Hard.
Comparing the latest returns for
1915 with the corresponding pre-wur
period I'm 1914, the following per
centages illustrate The decreases n
various typical exports Coffee. J
per cent: cocoa, n per cent dye
woods, 33 per cent; bananas, A per
cent, ginger, 40 per cent? pimcnto, 80
per cent rum, 5i per cent, sugar, j %
per cent, cotton Q per cent, aud honey
81 per cent.
Bananas. which form the principal
export Of the colony. representing %
per cent Of the total exports, have
fallen by almost 0nc-halt and this IN
ID year when the crop rs the largest IN
the islands history The colony, M
fact. has had q record production in
almost all lines. but total exports are
almost one-thrd less than in normal
years As a consequence perlshahlc
commodities are wasted and in some
places surplus fruit Of banana plan
cations, not protected by firm con-
tracts with the fruit trading compan-
les, cannot find buyers at three cents
per bunch.
Drought Proceeds Market Trouble.
II is the very irony of l9te thM
after the hurricane Of 1912 and "a per
iod Of almost continuous drought In
some sections since 1903, just when
the seasonal rains have been the best
81 nee the year 1906 with "a record crop
both as regards quality and quantity
tho islard should be placed n po-
sition where IL cannot market its pro-
ducc for lack Of vessels TO carry it,
The situation has been somewhat re-
Iieved by the action OF the imperial
government In Arranging for ocean
transport for some Of the surplus
sugar stocks but this bencfit to the
island as a whole Is small as sugar oc-
cupies but comparatively lnsgnifi-
cant position in the bulk Of the col
Cnys exports The basis on which
jamaican prosperity rests under pres
cut conditions, both on account of the
revenue derived from IT, ana The fact
that it puts more money into circula-
ton than al the other departments
Of agricultural activity is the banana
Quick. regular and sufficient ocean
transport Therefore s an essential cOn-
dition to the islands prosperity. This
Jamaica has not got and there seems
ho immediate prospect Of improve
ment In the situation.
England is rot i'm a position TO act
except 20 find freiRhts for such prod
ucts as she may Immediately require.
The eyes of jamaica therefore turu
TO the United states. not only Tor the
reason that she Is the islands best
customer for bananas. buying 80 per
cent Of the gross production, but for
the further reason that American
capit1l and energy and enterprise has
developed the banana trade TO Us
present position II pre.eminence.
II is interesting here 10 note the