396 
nba sugar their position can never be sound or secure. It has 
come a commonplace of criticism to remark upon the perpetual 
ss mis ce of crises in the West Indian Colonies, and we submit 
that the repeated occurrence of such crises, as well as the fact that 
the present crisis is more ominous than any of the previous ones, 
illustrates the danger to which we have referred, and adds much 
force to our recommendations for the adoption of GE measures 
to facilitate the introduction of other industries 
iv.—THE COST OF RELIEF. 
530. We have no doubt that if there is so jiu a failure of 
the sugar industry as now x see probab of Your 
pap ys — d in the West Indies will be Pina for a time 
meet the t of public elrabi as well as to raise the 
pa eds for the relief of distress, and, in some cases at 
least, for meeting engagements with the East Indian immigrants. 
1 1 
e 
in sufficient time to provide employment for the people and to 
prevent the revenue from falling off. In such islands as Bar- 
bados, St. Kitts, and Antigua, it is extremely improbable that any 
new industries that can be established will ever completely take 
maintain themselves in the same degree of comfort. The revenue 
may be. diri aane lower than it is at present, and the adminis- 
tration must be carried on in a more economical manner, and, 
probably, with pot loss of efficiency. 
531. The islands which are in the best position are Grenada, 
Jamaica, add Trinidad, and we do not anticipate that either of the 
two latter will require special assistance from the Home Govern- 
ment. The amount of veil which the other Colonies and 
islands may require we find ourselves unable to estimate. It must 
depend very largely on the tbe to which and the rapidity with 
which the sugar industry may succumb. We have, however, no 
hesitation in recommending that the Home Government should 
undertake to meet for a period of ten years the cost of the Botanic 
Department and Botanie Stations which we have DI —€— 
be established, and in this assistance which is given to 
immediate d Grenada, though sons les better of 
should shar 
932. The total cost may be placed at 9,700/. yearly for Tobago, 
Grenada, St. Vincent, Barbad os, St. Lucia, Dominica, Montserrat, 
Antigua, and St. Kitts-Nevis. This department should be ad- 
ministered by an Imperial officer, who would also act as consulting 
officer to the Colonies of Jamaica, Trinidad, and British ie 
when they wished to obtain the benefit of his advic 
islands which we have named already mane. ae Stations at 
their own cost, with the exception of Tobag mme 
that they be relieved of the charge they now te on Ar aad, 
which amounts to about 3,200/. a year. This arrangement will 
not, in the long run, throw any additional burden on the Home 
Government, as we feel sure that the islands in question will - 
