235 
the Royal Commission themselves point out that any attempt to 
substitute other industries for sugar must be a slow process, and 
: : rii 
act 
is followed by some kind of disease or pest by which the se 
is hampered and erty | as y witii the coifeo in /eylon, "ed 
wem e with 
mendation of the Royal Commission, that oves chis should be 
e that can be done to promote a better knowledge of the 
industries likely to be teet carried on in the West Indies 
and any other colonies where possible. The obstacles in the wa 
the lack of communication. The fact is that the West Indies are 
separated, one island from the other, and all from the great 
markets of the world, only being related to them by communi- 
cations which at the present time are very slow, imperfect and 
unsatisfactory. Where tropical produce is concerned speedy 
communication is of the first importance a recommendations 
of he: Commision in this rogard. were wofold, 
li mud dealing with all DNO of economie plants 
Tonie stations in all the island e propose to adopt 
that suggestion—and that this — shm - should be placed 
under the direction of Dr. Morris, Assistant Director at Kew, 
ho is marked out,as I think any o K s anything of 
Kew will admit, by special qualifications foran important position 
ledge i in the possession of the authorities at Kew, but also special 
acquaintance with the West Indies, and if those other industries 
are to be "rait vig there is no one more capable of doing it than 
Morris. In er to carry out this scheme, which we owe 
entirely to the Royal Commission—because, except in -—— 
I know no way of improving on their (—— IQ ask 
for a grant of £4,500,all the money w spend quite the 
present financial year. But we imi. diii the annual charge 
will be £17,500. That will be the future demand, and it must 
continue if the experiment shows a prospect of success until the 
Colonies are once again placed in a self-supporting condition. In 
connexion with this there is another recommendation which is of 
e importance, and that is that ue ETRE E between the 
islands and the markets should improved. We wish 
ed establish direct co nication or al 
m 2 
ropose to establish a line of steamers to carry fruit between 
iio islands and New York, and, if possible, to secure better 
