§ * SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in connection with recent labour troubles in the West Indies, his attention has been called to differences existing in various West Indian islands, between the Government and representatives of the 213 population occupying elective situations; and whether the Colonial Office will consider the wisdom of taking steps to revise the existing constitutions of several of the West Indian colonies in the direction of greater recognition of the interests of the working majority of the population.
§ * THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. CHURCHILL, Manchester, N.W.)The recent labour troubles in Demerara, to which my right hon. friend presumably refers, were not the outcome of political differences; and, having regard to the peculiar racial conditions of the West Indies, His Majesty's Government are not satisfied that the extension of elective institutions would be likely to conduce to the prosperity or tranquillity of the population. The constitutions of the Colonies have been so frequently, and in some cases, so recently revised, that it is not considered expedient to undertake further experimental changes at present unless special occasion should arise.