SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS IN WEST INDIES 387 



is shown in the statistics of the sugar imported into Canada. 

 The importations from the West Indies in 1897 did not exceed 

 11,000 tons. Up to the year 1903 they had not much increased, 

 but in the year 1909 they had reached a total of 133,000 tons, or 

 about 60 per cent, of the total production of the West Indian 

 Colonies. 



The attention thus drawn to the Canadian market led to 

 a renewal of the proposals for a reciprocal arrangement between 

 Canada and the West Indies. In British Guiana in 1903, and in 

 Trinidad in 1904, steps were taken in that direction, but with no 

 practical result. As a consequence of efforts made by the 

 Imperial Department of Agriculture, the Boards of Trade of 

 Toronto, Halifax and St. John sent a Commission of three 

 delegates to the West Indies to study trade conditions. The 

 report which followed was of considerable interest and value. 

 In the same year the Department initiated a more general move- 

 ment, which resulted in the assembling of a Conference at 

 Barbados in January 1908 to consider the steps that might 

 be taken to encourage more intimate trade relations with 

 Canada. This Conference was attended by representatives of 

 all the West Indian Colonies. The Dominion Government also 

 was represented by two delegates. Resolutions were adopted 

 in favour of entering into negotiations for reciprocal tariff 

 concessions, for the establishment of an improved and cheaper 

 telegraphic communication, and for increased transportation 

 facilities, both by a service of steamers to the West Indies and 

 by rail in Canada. 



The next step, which eventually led to the appointment of 

 the Royal Commission, was taken by the Canadian Government, 

 which, in view of the difficulties foreseen in the conclusion of 

 separate reciprocity agreements with the several West Indian 

 Colonies, proposed in a Report of the Committee of the Privy 

 Council that the whole subject should be further considered by 

 a Conference, organised by Imperial authority in the form of a 

 Royal Commission or otherwise. 



Since the Report of the Royal Commission of 1897 certain 

 important changes have taken place in the condition of the West 

 Indian Colonies. This Commission found the situation one of 

 extreme depression, due to the low prices then prevailing for 

 sugar products, which formed the largest share of the exports. 

 The Commission drew attention to the danger that the West 



