116 
estimates the total loss to the island by the continuance of the 
sent muscovado process at “a moderate computation” to be 
art of the West Indies, it cannot possibly ete with 
muscovado process with the imp ane processes popra by ae 
aneii ot countries. 
F 
BE. “The reason,” as given in evidence, “ why large factories 
were not erected in prosperous times was because th fits 
o sugar 
“ were instituted on reliable data to show the ue that was being 
“ sustained by the ordinary muscovado process 
343. Very little rum is now produced in Antigua. The amount 
distilled in 1896 was 16,969 proof gallon Rum isim mported from 
<itts, where there is a more plentiful supply of water for 
manufacturing purposes 
44, Molasses under the muscovado system are yielded at the 
rate of 60 to 70 gallons per ton of sugar. At present molasses are 
practically unsaleable. This is regarded as another serious blow 
o the muscovado industry. 
345. As showing the almost entire dependence of Antigua on 
the sugar industry, as also the shrinkage in value, the following 
table is appended, giving the collective value of 
molasses as compared with me total exports of the ee ‘of the 
island for the last five years : 
| 
Years. 1892. 1893. 1894. | 1895. 1896. 
£ £ £ £ 
Collective value of sugar and |234,720 |184,824 156,403 | 64,349 | 118,634 
molasses | 
| 
Percentage ... oe sse 96 953 | 92 74 91 
Total exports produce of the Colony | 244,743 | 199,870 | 170,223 | 87,125 | 130,361 
346. If the sugar industry is to be maintained in Antigua, it is 
inevitable that the manufacture of muscovado sugar must 
abandoned, Mr. Watts:states that, with the exception. of improve- 
ments in the mills for crushing ete oe “the methods and 
“appliances in use for muscovado sugar have undergone little 
* change during the last 200 years.” "Wathen, such “ methods are 
“unsatisfactory and wasteful in the extreme.” On the other 
hand, Mr. Watts is of opinion that “by the introduction of good 
pe 
£ machinery n manufacturing processes sugar ld 
“ probably be produced at cheaper rates pers in any other part of 
“ the ld.” In fact that “it would be remunerative in Antigua 
b ive 
“ when aa had fallen below the cost of araire in all other 
* countries 
i 
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