343 
and of any alternative industries existing or possible to be 
established - what has been the course of, and what causes have 
affected, the pice xu roue dá of the Governments of late 
years ; what $ the condition and temper of the negro and coolie 
populations ; add what line of tud éd development it is likely 
that these populations may follow bts feo in the event of 
the extensive abandonment of su 
19. There are xd particulars of reper subsidiary to ires 
main heads which would come within the scope of suc 
Commission ; the segs terms of "hifateligo may be dolar Add 
if the appointment of the Commission is decided upon 
20. Mr. Chamberlain desires me to request that you "will move 
the Lords Commissioners to give their serious consideration to 
this proposal, which has not been made without mature delibera- 
tion on a long succession of circumstances conducing to suggest 
its necessity. As it would be important that the Commission, if 
appointed, should start for the West Indies without delay and 
proceed as expeditiously as possible with the proposed investiga- 
d if the Lords 
d report, . Cham 
Commissioners will favour him with an early intimation as to 
whether they agree to the principle of the inquiry he proposes. 
am, &c., 
EDWARD WINGFIELD. 
SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES to SIR H. W. NORMAN, 
Downing Street, 
SIR, December 29, 1896. 
I HAVE the honour to transmit to you the Queen's Com: 
mission appointing yourself, eri Edward Grey, Bart, M.P., and 
Sir David Barbour, K.C.S.L., to be Commissioners to inquire into 
the conditions wed ‘prospects of the sugar-growing Colonies in oe 
West Indies, and tt Mr. Sydney Olivier, B.A., t 
secretary to the Comm 
I have also the Mébodk ves inform you that the Queen has been 
pleased to approve of Daniel Morris, Esq., D.Sc., C.M.G., Assistant- 
Director of the Royal Gardens, Kew, accompanying the Commis- 
sion as expert adviser in botanical and agricultural questions. 
I have to request that you will be good enough to cause the 
necessary steps to be taken for carrying we effect Her Majesty's 
commands contained in the — Com n. 
A separate letter is being addre "erg to you, indicating the 
points to which Her Majesty's Doreen wish the inquiry to 
be specially directed 
] have, &c. 
J. CHAMBERLAIN, 
SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES to SIR H. W. NORMAN, 
Dow Street, 
January 5, 1897. 
n reference to my letter of the 29th of December, accom- 
panying the Royal Commission appointing you and Sir David 
Barbour and Sir Edward Grey Commissioners to inquire into the 
