242 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE VICTORIA INSTITUTE. 
merchandise, and wait patiently for the Spaniard to come to 
them.” I have a theory on the subject — that our local merchant 
make fortunes so easily that they do not find it necessary to 
bestir themselves, and, as in every trade in existence, it is only 
keen competition and dwindling profits which will cause them to 
seek fresh outlets for their goods. This theory is sup 
ported by mercantile indifference to official encouragement 
or discouragement. Even a Crown Colony Government 
must be swayed by public opinion, and if mercantile interests 
haye been neglected the lethargy of the mercantile class 
Jf. a blame. Have they been neglected ? Writing in .1 8Sfi, 
11 illiam Eobinson said : — “Xt may be asked what has the 
Government nf T j 
. eii.iLu xxuoinson said:- — “It may be asked wha 
overnment of Trinidad done to extend its trade. Has it 
removed DP of m /'ll r. ^ IT. ■ .■ n tt 
, u one lo extend ito — 
removed any restrictions affecting commerce ? Has it encouraged 
to its utmost the free import of goods into Trinidad for tranship 
mgnt to other colonies and countries 1” (Evidently Sir William 
did not contemn the transit trade). “ Has in fact any legislation 
- recent years taken place with a view of benefiting the labour ■ 
lllQf 3/OCi EOni’Gr Dlocom. k., 
, d vi«w ur jL'enenuiug 
anc . poorer classes by increasing the area of trade and b) 
o - • ymsses Dy increasing the area ot trad 
cheapening the food of the people ? The reply, I think, 
that Government has done little or nothing 
must be 
Hoc ^ ^ a ' i T^ldd several admiring comments upon the capabili 
work/ ° Ut \ ha, : bo , u G which would easily hold all the navies of the 
at .dm a ? which is yet so calm that a Thames wherry rnigb 1 
harbour G v tl n es ride there in safet W- Well, that super* 
than wh/n aT a P r , actical Purposes no better fitted for trade 
direction ti r ® rcr< %^7. banded here a hundred years ago ; in that 
rule and « T*!* ”? tblt! o to he seen for a whole century of British 
aspiration of h 6 lrl1K scheme now being carried out meets the 
satisfied Tn ' T ' el canf h ( : jiody, I can only say that is is easily 
H.M .S ' Cn J ’ Hieu tenant Downes, surveying officer oi 
with afiv trTrkf’ T. r ? te : doubt if there is any seaport town 
Again ■ “ A t " la e ' er whose harbour is so cruelly neglected, 
badly off fot nnT- Se ‘ x n M. anchora S B in the West Indies is so 
po«i al wlTt "Sit" “r" X* “■» is the chief siiippmg 
Great Britain will. f. i rom , w hat I have seen of ports m 
harbour accommnd .f U . iess . tra< * e » 1 can say that the want of 
It is not creditable tbit A ere 18 no ^ crof Htablo to the community. 
annually land or embark hete hWv^o^r ° f P assen S ers ^ 
in open boats under a 6 to travel, sometimes two h»M 
expense. I T rf?P ic *&>, and at a heavy 
between Europe and Trinidn * VvInle S 00(is are often conveyed 
landing costs Z ^ *? Utth - .15/ a ton, their 
Qf our transit trade thpv o* Cl °wn ; and if they form pad? 
another half crown per ton 'ia re-shipment burdened with 
P t0n ’ a “ d tb °y are in addition injured by 
