= 84l 
7. Until recently it appeared not impossible — the Continental 
Bounties might be spontaneously wit thdrawn, or that the over- 
natural manner by the collapse of unprofitable businesses. These 
nee are adjourned by the increase in the Bounties above 
ferred t 
8. Mr. Chamberlain feels that he cannot any longer disregard 
indications which are arising in the administrative purview of 
this Department of dfe liabilities and difficulties which 
the Colonies will not be able to meet unaided. 
9. At the end of the year 1895 there were deficits in Antigua 
and St. Kitts of upwards of £26,000 and £16,000 respaci velis and 
notwithstanding an unusually eee sugar crop in those islands, 
an increase in the rates of taxation, it is expected that these 
deficits will be increased during the current year. The pop es 
are almost entirely dependent on the sugar estates, and it is 
represented that estates are being abandoned. ere were is 
in St. Kitts this spring pio. from the reduction of wages on the 
sugar estates, and if there is any serion lack of employment a 
may be ected. e Windwa 
slands have during 1895 and 1896, notwithstanding severe 
retrenchment and the increase of taxation until the point of 
inelasticity has been reached, fallen into a eee of insolvency 
which c r. C hamberlain to apply to the Lords Commis- 
sioners for an iun gente as to which another letter 
will be addressed to you. The Lords Commissioners will recollect 
thatin the letter from this a inta of the 15th of August last, 
in which Mr. Chamberlain applied for assistance in the promotion 
of subsidiary industries, which the Lords Commissioners decided 
not to grant, the possibility that such an appeal might become 
necessary was foreshadowed. The abandonment of the majority 
of the sugar estates in St, Vincent has been definitely announced, 
ded The Government of Barbados has been passing through 
vere financial difficulties, involving reductions of the cost of 
tablishments. "The effect of the abandonment of estates in this 
iden would be particularly grave and would necessitate assisted 
emigration 
ll. With regard to some of these Colonies there may be reason 
to think that improvements in manufacture have been neglected, 
re, 
nevertheless, cultivation is being reduced, nor in British Guiana, 
where it is being reduced with very serious ede et involving 
the loss of aol capital invested in expensive mac 
12, This process has a special significance in the we last-named 
Colonies, the Governments of which are responsible for many 
thousands of coolie immigrants, which they are liable to be called 
upon, under contract, to repatriate. If sugar cultivation, for 
itable, and in 
bados w 
tration, ede would be unable to provide for their repatriation 
14687 A2 
