402 
In addition, tus nep islands should receive grants to 
enable them ans iier expenditure of an 
obligatory nature. The aie y be placed at 20,0007. 
a year for five years, Mid possibly a gets amount t for a 
further period of five year 
The og which we are able to estimate may be 
summarised as OWS :— 
(1.) A grant of 27,0007. a year for ten Ein 
(2) A grant of 20, 0007. a a year for five yea 
(3.) Immediate grants of 60,000/. and 30, 0007, or 90,0007, 
ina 
(4.) A loan of 120,0207. to Barbados for the establishment 
of central factories. 
k, As to the amount of expenditure which it may be necessary 
very great, if there occurred a sudden and general failure of 
the sugar industry in Bardados and British Guiana, where 
the population is comparatively large, and the people 
depend so greatly upon the cultivation of the sugar-cane, 
In such a contingency neither British Guiana nor Barbados 
would be able to meet the necessary cost of administration 
for, probably, a considerable number of years, 
vi.—CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. 
555. We cannot close our report without expressing our strong 
sympathy with the planters, who have struggled against very 
adverse ee to maintain the sugar industry, and with 
the very numerous persons who depend. directly or indirectly 
upon that ducere nd have severely suffered from its decay. 
Among the latter we would include not only the labourers, but 
many of different races and a higher social class, who, as clerks, 
overseers, artisans, tradesmen, or in professional vocations, have 
been cape fOHabud by the depression in sugar 
556. Our own task has been of a discouraging nature. Ourduty 
has been to inquire into the condition of a depressed and failing 
industry, and to consider if any means are possible for restoring 
and maintaining the prosperity of those Colonies that depend 
upon it, and, in any case, to suggest the establishment of other 
industries which might supplement the cultivation of sugar cane, 
and, in case of need, “provide means of subsistence for the people. 
Our conclusions will, no doubt, disappoint many who have looked 
for some immediate and substantial oe but, with the most 
sincere lee o do all in our power help t the West Indian 
co unit a have not felt E vd able- to make other 
mm 
PARARI ARS than those which we now humbly submit for 
Your Majesty's gracious consideration. 
(Signed) H. W. NORMAN. 
E. GREY. 
D. BARBOUR, 
25th August 1897. ; i 
