SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS IN WEST INDIES 385 



This Commission was charged to inquire into the com- 

 mercial relations at present existing between the Dominion 

 of Canada and the West Indian Colonies, and recommend 

 steps which should be taken " in order to secure, encourage 

 and develop mutual trading facilities, the improvement of trans- 

 portation, and a cheaper and more iefficient telegraph system, 

 together with all other matters that may appear to be best 

 calculated to strengthen and to extend commerce and com- 

 munication between Canada and the West Indies." 



For the purpose of this Commission it was understood 

 that the term " British West Indies " would include Bermuda, 

 the Bahamas and British Honduras, in addition to the British 

 West India Islands as usually so-called, and British Guiana. 



The members of the Commission were five in number, 

 with Lord Balfour of Burleigh chairman. Two of the Com- 

 missioners (the Hon. W. S. Fielding and the Hon. William 

 Paterson) were Ministers of the Canadian Dominion. In this 

 respect the composition of the Commission was of a special 

 character, indicative of the growth of common interests 

 between the Mother-Country and the Oversea Dominions. 

 The other Commissioners were Lord Islington (now Governor 

 of New Zealand) and the present writer. 



In fulfilment of the duties entrusted to them the Com- 

 missioners held sittings in the principal cities of Canada in the 

 autumn of 1909. They travelled through the British West 

 Indian Colonies in the spring of 1910, beginning with Jamaica 

 and visiting in order Barbados, British Guiana, the Leeward 

 Islands, Windward Islands and Trinidad. In the summer of 

 1910 the Commissioners received evidence in London on the 

 subject of telegraphic and steamer communication ; and from 

 associations and individuals interested in the production of 

 sugar in the West Indies, and its sale in Canada. 



In spite of the complexity of the inquiry and the considerable 

 labour involved in travelling to and from Canada and the West 

 Indies to take evidence on the spot, the Commission brought 

 its labours to a close in little more than a year, " an achieve- 

 ment," according to The Times, *' so unusual in Royal Com- 

 missions, that it cannot be too warmly recognised." 



The Report, which has been characterised as a remarkable 

 one, in the sense that it shows a great advance in dealing with 

 questions affecting the Oversea Dominions, opens with a 



