96 
comprehensible, but that any radical improvements in the conditions 
of the industry could be brought about by a further stimulus to supply 
accompanied by a further restriction of deitha is a view which wili 
hardly be aA by the disinterested observer. To grant this form 
of relief would be to prolong indefinitely a position which can only lead 
to further mischief and extend the area of inevitable industrial disaster. 
Other means than these must be found to enable the West Indian 
industry to live through the paese period - depressicn. 
* It must not be forgotten that at this moment there is a portion of 
c 
prosperity, not only holding its pesidoti in the teeth of adverse fortune, 
but. expanding and strengthening its position, The "eere sugar 
i k h 
sugar factories, but it has been instrumental in settling a prosperous 
class of small farmers uid sant proprietors upon the soil 
I 
cost in labour o fo ap was and a saving of 3/. 5s. per ton 
would at once be effected. Three pounds five shillings saved in cost of 
production would be more valuable than any bount which is at present 
paid by ens ar nations, and, if the Veniet » üpbliésble, would. 
alone suffice to save the West Indian sugar industry. 
“To assume that the conditions are exactly pm and that any 
exact parallel ean be drawn would be unjust until € conditions have 
been more fully inquired into. The argument indicates only possibili- 
ties which may exist, and may, for causes unknown to us, have been 
overlooked. A com — of "onc investigators able thor oughly 
to examine the whole position need not begin their labours without 
hope of arriving at some practica iolutión of vw difficulties with which 
the sugar tidintr yd is ilron , and if it should be found possible to 
include in the commission somé members havin knowledge of the 
conditions of the sugar industry i in — the chances of success 
will be materially increased.” 
