Mr. POINTERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Returns of the Trinidad sugar crops of 1911 show that, whilst it took only nine tons of farmers' canes to produce a ton of sugar, it required twelve tons of factory canes to produce the same amount; and, seeing that this difference is due to the skilful handling of farmers' canes by the factory owners, whereby they manage to receive twelve tons of cane while paying only for nine tons, whether he will direct the Governor to inquire into the matter?
Mr. HARCOURTI have no information on the subject, but, assuming the facts stated in the question to be correct, it does not appear to be a matter into which the Governor could usefully inquire.