§ Mr. JESSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what action, if any, has been taken to prevent the exodus of coloured labour from Jamaica; whether the question of erecting central Government sugar factories to handle cane grown by small growers has been considered as a method likely to induce natives to remain settled in the country; and, if so, what practical steps have been taken to deal with this urgent matter?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYA scheme for a central sugar factory has been approved. The factory will be built as soon as possible, and will buy cane from small farms under arrangements similar to those which have proved successful elsewhere. The erection of central factories on modern lines is undoubtedly one of the best methods of fostering the sugar industry and so providing employment. I may add that, in so far as the exodus of labour depends on the offer of higher wages in foreign countries, it is obviously not under the control of the Government, but the Secretary of State is in frequent communication with the Governor on the subject, and the latest reports show that substantial increases in wages have been made in Jamaica.