388 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



Indian Colonies incurred in their dependence on a single 

 industry, and their recommendations were largely directed to 

 the establishment of other and alternative industries. The 

 result of this policy during the last twelve years is shown in the 

 fact that while the total exports of the produce and manufactures 

 of the Colonies have increased from ;^5, 625,000 to i^7, 195,360, 

 the exports of the products of the sugar-cane (sugar, rum and 

 molasses) have declined from ;^3, 243,000 to ;^3,037,66o. On the 

 other hand, the exports of other commodities, such as cacao, 

 fruits, cotton, logwood extract, tobacco and cigars, rice, coco- 

 nuts and rubber, have more than trebled, viz. from ;^i, 382,000 

 to A. 1 57.700. 



The recent Commission entirely concurs with the Commis- 

 sion of 1897 as to the danger of dependence on a single industry, 

 and strongly supports a continuance of the efforts that have 

 been made with such signal success to develop other industries 

 suitable to the soil and climate of the West Indian Colonies. 



At the same time it is recognised that the sugar industry is 

 still the dominating factor in such Colonies as British Guiana, 

 Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua and St. Kitts. In Jamaica the 

 proportion of sugar products is i2'6 per cent, as against 18 in 

 1896; and in Trinidad 247 as against 57 per cent-, in 1896. In 

 Grenada, St. Vincent, Dominica and Montserrat the exports of 

 sugar products are negligible. It is encouraging to find that, 

 in colonies where the natural conditions are favourable for 

 sugar-growing, recent events have tended to place the industry 

 on a surer foundation, Slightly higher prices and more 

 assured markets have brought improved credit, with the result 

 that the central factory system is being extended in Jamaica, 

 Antigua and elsewhere, and that more scientific methods of 

 cultivation, including the use of artificial and other manures, and 

 of new pedigree canes are being adopted in all the Colonies. It 

 is admitted that an important factor that has contributed to 

 this is the abolition of the continental bounties. To this must 

 be added the policy of the Dominion Government which has 

 provided in Canada a market for sugar more or less lost in 

 the United States. It still remains true, as pointed out by the 

 Commission, that for some important products of the West 

 Indies, for example, bananas from Jamaica, cacao and asphalt 

 from Trinidad, and fresh limes from Dominica, the United 

 States remains the largest market. 



