HL Deb 10 May 1906 vol 156 cc1447-50
* EARL BATHURST

My Lords, I rise to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government are aware of the great loss that will be entailed on the islanders of St. Helena through the withdrawal of the garrison from that place, and whether they propose to pay any compensation or assist the inhabitants in any other way.

As your Lordships know, it has been decided by the Army Council that the garrison shall be withdrawn from St. Helena. Last year the infantry were recalled from the island, and we learnt from a reply to a question in the House of Commons last week that the artillery and engineers are to be withdrawn next October. I was for nearly fifteen months stationed at St. Helena with my battalion during the Boer War, and I had good opportunities of seeing the conditions under which these people live. Your Lordships know the peculiar position of St. Helena and its isolated situation. You have heard of its inhospitable rocks and bare coast, but there are fertile valleys in the island where it is possible to grow vegetables and fruit, and also stretches of rough grass land where a certain number of cattle can be reared. In the old days, when this island was in the possession of the East India Company—;in the days o slavery and Chinese labour—;it was very prosperous, and the Governor was in receipt of a very large sum of money. It was also an important port of call for ships on their way to India and to South Africa. A large amount of fruit and vegetables were grown there as well as coffee of rich quality.

Now, my Lords, this has all changed. The market for this produce has gone, and the troops quartered on the island constitute the only market remaining. There are practically no exports at all, and when the troops are withdrawn from the island the market will have gone and desolation will be the result. I think the state of that island may then be very well described, as another place has so aptly been, as an island where the inhabitants earn a precarious living by taking in each other's washing. In support of my remarks I should like to read a letter I received not very long ago from one of the colonists on the Island. He writes—; What news we have is only by cable, and the whole of the inhabitants are in sad distress. The infantry were withdrawn a year ago, and that was a sad blow to the place. If the artillery are also to go it simply means ruin to the whole community. One is afraid to think what will happen. The labourers will starve, as those who employ labour now will not be in a position to do this if this scheme is carried out, as the employers will scarcely be able to exist themselves. The only island industry is raising stock and agricultural produce for the troops, the occasional vessel of war and sailing ship calling for supplies being things of the past. The town has lately been thoroughly drained by the Colonial Government, but the householders have to refund the money, the loan being spread over a number of years. Many people will consequently lose their property, this being the penalty of non-payment. If St. Helena is of value in time of war the Imperial Government should help us in time of peace in the peculiar circumstances in which we are situated. I think this letter may well be described as a voice from St. Helena. It is the cry of people in distress, and on those grounds I have ventured to bring this question to your Lordships' notice. The debt referred to was incurred through troops and prisoners of war being quartered on the island. It was found that the drainage of the town was in such an unsatisfactory state that a large sum of money had to be spent, and I think this was done largely by the order of the Colonial Government. Churches and schools will also become vacant and useless. There is a Bishop of St. Helena and also a cathedral, besides two other churches. There is a Roman Catholic priest and a chapel. This priest is Consul for several foreign nations, as he is the only one who understands these various languages. He will have to leave the island, as there are only one or two inhabitants who are Roman Catholics. The reason for his being there was purely to meet the requirements of the Roman Catholics among the garrison.

I hope the noble Earl will be able to inform the House in what way and to what extent he is able to help this Colony. I bring this question forward rather as a request for charity from the Government, and I hope the noble Earl will be able to tell your Lordships that His Majesty's Government are prepared to render some assistance, otherwise these poor people, with ruin staring them in the face, will sink in misery and distress.

* THE EARL OF ELGIN

My Lords, I confess that I have some sympathy with St. Helena. The garrison of St. Helena has an historical interest for us all, and I regret that the necessities of the British Empire have compelled its withdrawal at this moment. But, after all, the House must remember that it is only 100 men who are withdrawn, and I find it a little difficult to believe that ruin and destruction should seize upon the whole island in consequence of that withdrawal. The Government have given some practical evidence of their compassion, for if the decision of the Army Council had been rigorously carried out the garrison would have left already, but we thought that that would be dealing rather hardly with the islanders, and that they ought to have six months to make arrangements. I am afraid I cannot hold out any hope that we shall be able to find money to compensate the islanders. I am told that there is no precedent for paying compensation to individuals in a case of this kind. In regard to the island itself, of course it will be in the ordinary position of any Crown Colony. At present it has a surplus on its revenue—;a sign of some prosperity, I hope—;but if the revenue did not prove to be sufficient, I suppose the island would come upon the Imperial Government, like other Crown Colonies, for a grant in aid. If that happens, the British Treasury, which profits by the withdrawal of the garrison, will have to pay something by way of a grant in aid to the island. But that, of course, is a matter of public administration. So far as the inhabitants are concerned, though I am in sympathy with them, I am afraid I can hold out no hopes of compensation being found for them.