596,500. The debt is now nearly one million sterling, and the 
charges for interest and sinking fund, which in 1882 were 14,271/., 
are now about 48,0007. a year. 
184. The financial position of the Colony is, therefore, not 
encouraging, and taxation under present circun istances can 
hardly be increased. The Colony is certainly not in a position to 
stand the strain of additional outlay, even for the relief of 
distress or the opening up of ier communication with the 
interior than now exists. 'lhe revenue depends chiefly on duties 
of customs and excise, and may be expected to diminish seriously 
as the purehasing power of the community falls off, owing to 
reduced wages and loss of employment arising. from contraction 
of the sugar cane cultivation. 
189. The report of Dr. Morris shows as TER S Guiana 
now depends on sugar products for nce of the 
Colony, it is certain that under the Bon Tevéurable circu maaan 
it must be a considerable number of years before other industries 
could be so far extended as to give isse ei picta to the number 
of people now employed on sugar estates or deriving their living 
from the sugar industry. Inde ed it is hardly possible that all the 
other industries in = Colony, apart € on he ch will be 
etie Spoken of, could for many yea co roduce a 
return i guy way Sal to that which M bed obi&ined from 
8 ru 
90. It w mum therefore, be most desirable in the ipse of 
ihe Colony to maintain the production of suga well as to 
encourage the cultivation of a products premieres by 
Dr. Morris, which have been neglected in t Foremost 
among these may be named rice, coffee, cocoa, fruits, and cocoa- 
nuts, whilst something may be expected from todo to the 
forests and from cattle raising. 
191. Rice to the value of 180,0007. was imported in 1895-96 for 
EE in Tg Colony. Rice of excellent quality is — 
gro Brit Guiana, and every effort should be made 
ation "odes all that is wanted of this article. Coffee ee 
cocoa to the value of 7,560/. were also imported, though there is 
no reason nnd the coffee and cocoa consumed should not also be 
produced ther 
192. The veld industry is deserving of special ean The 
value of the gold exported since the year 1890 has been close 
upon three mülóns "ee and although the piola is M 
es than in 1893-94, when it was of the Mee : 510, dre 
mounted in the course of the year chi e 0007 
avy cost p Which the "planters c could not meet, an nd 
local n a CE er 
to be carried on in any | way at all worthy of à oue nation. 
