392 
proportion were assigned to coffee estates. Of late, however, they 
have been allotted to work on banana plantations. This may 
lead to complaints by peasant cultivators of bananas that the coolie 
is imported to compete with them, but if such complaints arise 
the discontinuance of immigration in Jamaica enu the preson! 
system, although we look forward to a time when, owing to 
pin Sar in the industrial habits of the negro, 6s will bo 
no necessity to import labour. We recognise that there is 
evidence to show that on public works, and even on some estates, 
the Jamaica negro is an excellent labourer, but there is also 
evidence that on »ome estates, though not on all, it is difficult to 
carry on cultivation without a propo xg of indentured coolies, 
whose services can always be depended o We therefore think 
it will be wise to abstain from cse any change at present 
in the cne system, under which, as the planter pays heavily 
for introducing coolie labour, he has a strong inducement not to 
apply for coolies, unless he thinks they are absolutely essential to 
the working of his estate. 
Part HI. 
CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS AND SUMMARY. 
i.—OBLIGATIONS OF THE MOTHER COUNTRY. 
210. In Parts I. and II. of our Report we have expressed the 
opinion that the sugar iudustry in the West Iunoni is in danger of 
d ainoa; that no industry or series of industries can 
in the s of a few years supply its paeas ; and that some of the 
Colonies will for a time be unable to meet the necessary and 
unavoidable cost of Vessel including payments on account 
of the public debt. We have also recommended the adoption of 
measures having for their object the substitution of other industries 
for the cultivation of the sugar-cane, and the general amelioration 
of the economic condition of the people, as well as the relief of 
the distress which may arise in many place 
911. The carrying out of our ronima Ri must involve the 
expenditure yearly of a considerable sum of money which the 
Colonies will, in their altered condition, be unable to provide. 
The more depressed the condition of any Colony may be the 
greater will be its need for ata ite funds ed the less will be 
its ability to raise them from its o resources, and we consider 
that in one form or another ince oes ie by the mother 
goan on behalf cf the West Indian fe are inevitable. 
512. Justification for this view can no doubt be ee in the 
nature of the relations which exist Lawes a mother country and 
such dependencies as Your Majesty’s West Indian possessions, 
Bat in this instance we desire to draw a to peculiar 
circumsiances, which, in our opinion, impose a special and an 
unusually strong obligation upon the Home Government, 
