, 1916-01-26

Q6Cldr6 the ulScUSSlOu open, l. VIII uS0 MY
privilege to come with n few II mark. 10
my mind a new era for st. Croix begins with
these laws, whether they will bring u. any
good or not depends very much on the Co
lonial Council, and [ would like to impress
upon you, that every member should express
his opinion canaidly and fearlessly MOI with
holding it. I think 1.-THE Govefnm Mt is
anxious to know the Council opinion and |
charge you not to allow any personal feeling
to Influence you, and to look upon these re-
forms with rs broad a mind as p 'ssible.
With regard to the present D aft, the idea
has occurred to me, that s 2 of the law sug-
gests, to my mind, as likely to lead to ptu~
perisation, if the most careful lrqulry and
examination of each case Is not exercised.
But the circumstances are go desperate that
means must be found to better them, and as
this is q very generous gift from the Mother
Country, we ought not to criticise too c.osely
the weak sides Of The Draft. One. other
remark 1 will make. I hope the matrons
will be rs largely as pos IDLE cho,en fronl
among the natives. With these remarks [
declare the discussion opened.
Ord Member for Chri7tiansted Country
District &C. E. Lee0Y). Will the hon. Wee
Chairman be kind enough to point out which
part of the Law ten Is to favour pau perizl-
ton ?
The Vice-Chqirman (CouIter). The idea
has occurred to me with s 2, lust CLAUSE. As
I have said there is q possibility THAI the
ma rons will have to be very careful to ii III
out how many children are to have the sup
port, if they are all the children Of the moth
er claiming such support.
3td Member for Christiansted Country
District &C. H. Lee0y). II is not pAuperizl-
ton. N w we get such a generous grant
from tho Nathan Co1ptrv xUa GhO1}1 Noaq
the Law without remarks an adopt it as it
Is. I think the hon. Vice Chairman could
modify the word pauperzation.
The Vice Chairman (CouIter). [ will not
change the word. I have the right to give
my opinion when l think there is reason for
It, aud / do not think that the word ''plt-
perizltiou" can be OF any offensa.
3rd Grown Member (Pretto) I beg to
endorse the expressions of The 3rd Member
Der for Christiansted Country District
&C.. e Leevy) that the Vice-Chairm' "a
wIthdraws bis word, aud we pass the L'W
as it is without remarks.
His Exce!lency the Governor (Helecag-
LarsenJ. l will only come with u few
remarks, that may settle the question.
There is a possibility Of some mothers taking
an un Iue advantage but this should not
be considered as an objection against the
law.
1st. Member for Frederiksted Country
District (F2en7ng). I propose that we pass
the Law at once.
2ud. Me Der for Frederiksted Town
(Merojn). Regarding the opinion that the
clause savours Of pauperization, I shall not
enter on it, Tut in the same s 2 there is
another question. 1t does not state how
old the children are to be. 1t must be
stated up to what age the children must
be for the mothers to Get support.
In my opinion the principal point should
be the working ability of the Law aud it
would therefore be the most natural to dis
cuss with Government about the details III
u committee.
3rd. Member for Christiansted Country
District &C. Il. Leeuy). I consider this dis
cnssion needless, let US pass The Law as it
is and be thankful.
3rd Crown Member Pretto). I consider
the Draft such a benevolent gift from the
Mother Country, that we should adopt it
without sen5ing it i'll a Committee.
2nd. Member for Christiansted Town
(Ga1egata). / shall not enter upon the que1-
ton OF p1uperism. This Law is surely a
very benevolent gift from the Mother Couu-
try, but I consider it would enhance very
much to the success of the scheme, if we
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