368 
of 31st March 1897 he stated that if the condition of the sugar 
industry as to prices and prosperity remained unchanged, there 
was a Ange. nty of Marone reduction, if not of extinction, of that 
industry. He estimated that, under present conditions, the 
eem would be reduced by one- half in three years. The 
d iu 
definite period must, from the nature of the case, be a matter of 
doubt, but we see no reason for dissenting AS the opinion which 
Sir Courtenay Knollys has expressed on this 
278. Apart from ihe recommendations hie we have E. in 
Part I. of our Report, in connexion with the subject of experi- 
mental cane priate Fey and the work of the Botanic Department, 
we are unable to offer any packer suggestion for the adoption of 
taken 
measures that could be n the Colony for improving the 
condition of the sugar Ses The mitts burdens on the 
industry are not heavy, and it is to some extent assisted at 
the expense of the general revenues, Wed bear a portio on of 
abe cost of introducing Kast Indian immi 
280. It is recognised in the present day "that the business E 
anufact cturing sugar may "often with advantage be separated from 
the actual cultivation of the canes. It is found convenient in 
oo places that farmers should engage in the business of 
ing canes, and io sell the ripe cane to a central factory. 
This system is being tried, and with some success, in Trinidad, 
enone) a pe and App entis well-founded, opinion has been 
expressed to the effect that, so far as can now be seen, “this central 
factories in Trinidad can never depend entirely on canes so grown, 
t must, in order to ensure a continuous supply of canes for 
manufacture, possess a considerable amount of cultivation of their 
own was alleged that the presence of indentured coolies is 
essential to the maintenance of the industry, as only in this way 
could a reliable supply of labour bo. secured at all times. 
8l. wners of sugar estates in Trinidad appear to be fully 
alive to the advantages of the cane- -farming system, and anxious 
to introduce it as far as practicable. The general adoption of the 
system would be attended with many advantages, and we are of 
opinion that it is one which the Govern e might legitimately 
assist, where practicable, by providing means of communication 
to facilitate cane-farming in suitable localities. Both the Creoles 
and the East India immigrants prefer growing canes on their own 
plots to inerte d s labourers on the estates, and they are willing 
to sell their canes at a price which is below the cost at which the 
estates can produce t them 
282. In. view of the "probable reduction, in the immediate 
future, of the area of sugar-cane cultivation, and the serious 
effect which such drei i and the = ral depression E the 
ave on 
tion of other agricultural industries for the cane cultivation ; 
(2) the -a of the surplus population on the land as pees 
proprietors ; and (3) the facilitating of access to foreign markets. 
283. The praetical work of nicer on — Here must be 
left in the hands of private persons, but, we have already 
indicated in Part I., ors are certain dire de in which the 
Government can assi ist. 
