6 S 4 WEST INDIES 



direct steamship communication. In April 1910 a conference of delegates from British 

 Guiana and the West Indian islands (the Bahamas, Jamaica and Grenada excepted) 

 met at Ottawa, and an agreement was arrived at on the basis of the grant of mutual 

 preferential terms on the principal articles of import into the West Indies from Canada, 

 and vice versa. During 1912 the agreement was approved by the Legislatures of all 

 the West Indian colonies concerned, and by the Imperial government. A resolution 

 approving of it was passed by the Dominion House of Commons in November 1912. 



Since 1905, when the transatlantic mail contract was abandoned, the Royal Mail 

 Steam Packet_.Company had carried the transatlantic mails on a poundage basis. In 

 1910 the Company gave notice to terminate the arrangement, and in November the 

 direct service ceased, causing much inconvenience and loss to trade. On November i8th 

 an intercolonial conference was held in Barbados, and the West India Committee strong- 

 ly urged upon the Imperial Government the need for a mail subsidy. The government 

 at last agreed to offer a subsidy of 4o r ooo, and a contract was entered. into with the 

 Royal Mail Company for a transatlantic service to run until 1917 or concurrently with 

 the intercolonial service (conducted for a subsidy of 25,000 payable half by the Imperial 

 Government and half by the colonies served) for a subsidy of 63,000, to which Trinidad 

 contributes 16,300, Barbados 4000 and British Guiana 2700. Under the new serv- 

 ice, which was inaugurated in 1911, Trinidad succeeded Barbados as headquarters and 

 port of transhipment for the intercolonial steamers. -In 1911 the direct service carried 

 on since 1901 by the Imperial Direct West India Mail Service between Avonmouth and 

 Jamaica under contract with the Imperial and Jamaica Governments ceased, the sub- 

 sidy of 40,000 not being renewed. In the same year the Imperial Government discon- 

 tinued the subsidy of 13,500 to the mail service between Canada and the West Indies, 

 which is now conducted by the Dominion alone. 



' !"-.''.!! .'::.' .:;:': ; . ':..-" . : -.! . .: .. i-rj 



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. THE LEEWARD ISLANDS l 



The census of 1911 disclosed the population of the islands constituting this colony 

 to be as follows: Antigua 32,265; Barbuda 775; St. Kitts 26,283; Nevis 12,945; Anguilla 

 4075; Dominica 33,863; Montserrat 12,196; Redonda 120; Virgin Islands 5562. Dur- 

 ing the financial year 1910-11 there were 4649 births and 3456 deaths. Of births 1762 

 were legitimate and 2,887 or 62 per cent illegitimate. The death rate of the Colony is 

 conspicuously low, Montserrat enjoying the minimum with 13.15 per 1000. Next in 

 order come Anguilla (14.64), the Virgin Islands (15), Barbuda (18), Nevis (23.62), 

 Dominica (23.99), Antigua (27.38) and St. Kitts (29.37). 



Sugar is the chief industry, and the principal source of revenue in Antigua and St. Kitts. 

 Antigua during 1910-1 1 exported 13,488 tons (6397 tons of 96 grey crystals and 709! tons 

 muscovado). The central factory at Gunthorpe's (Antigua) manufactured 5400 tons of 

 crystals, and Bendal's Factory : ipi5 tons. Extensions at Gunthorpe's during the year 

 increased its manufacturing capacity to about 8000 tons of grey crystals in a crop. Con- 

 sequently more estates have abandoned the muscovado process ana now sell canes to the 

 factory. The quantity of peasants' canes purchased in Antigua was 7718 tons as against 

 4579 in 1909, the price paid averaging 1 2s id per ton in 1910 as against 9s 6d a ton m the 

 previous year. In St. Kitts a central factory has been established, with a maximum output 

 of 10,000 tons of crystals. Further extensions of the central factory system, the success of 

 which has been so pronounced, are also contemplated. In the cotton industry during 1910- 

 II prices fell somewhat from the high figures prevailing during the previous year, and trade 

 depression in England early in 191 1 also affected the sale. From the cultivators' standpoint, 

 however, yields gave no cause for disappointment. The area planted was extended and there 

 was comparative freedom from insect pests, a freedom not enjoyed by sugar planters, who 

 were handicapped to a certain extent on this account. In the Presidency of Antigua, where 

 560 acres an increase of 215 were cultivated, the average return amounted to 173 lt> of 

 lint per acre. In St. Kitts 1600 acres an increase of 6Oo were planted, the average yield 

 being 200 Ib of lint per acre. A like yield was obtained in Nevis (the highest since the island 

 turned its attention to cotton), where 1400 acres were cultivated an increase of 500 acres. 

 A similar return is reported in the case of Montserrat, which possesses the largest area under 

 cotton 2000 acres. In the Virgin Islands there is no estates cultivation, the cotton being 

 purchased from growers and ginned and exported by the Government. 



1 See E. B. xvi, 371, and allied articles. 



