Mr. POINTERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is yet able to state whether the extra taxation in Trinidad, which has now been imposed for over nine months and which was imposed for the purpose of railway extension, has had the effect of increasing the cost of living among the working class of that island?
Mr. HARCOURTI have no information as to the effect which the revised Trinidad Customs Tariff has had on the cost of living in the Colony, but my hon. Friend may like to know that the Trinidad tariff compares favourably with that of other West Indian Colonies as regards the duties imposed on the principal articles of consumption of the labouring classes. I may add that under the revised tariff the duties on flour, bread, and rice remained unchanged.
Mr. POINTERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the circumstances under which the Governor of Trinidad suppressed the Savana Grande Local Board; if so, is he satisfied that the Governor acted after full inquiry into the circumstances, and the probable influence of the recent floods in making the work of the local board extremely difficult; and, if not, will he cause inquiry to be made?
Mr. HARCOURTI have heard that the Governor, on the advice of the Executive Council, ordered that the Director of Public Works should exercise the functions of the Savana Grande Local Road Board. The Trinidad law provides for such a contingency, and the matter no doubt received the fullest consideration.
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Mr. POINTERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the Trinidad law which demands a bond of £200 before a newspaper can be established, thus making it extremely difficult for the less wealthy members of the community to establish a Press in furtherance of their own special interests; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
Mr. HARCOURTI am aware of the provisions of the Trinidad law, which has been adopted as a model elsewhere in the West Indies. I do not propose to take any action in the matter.
Mr. POINTERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the facts concerning the Rev. Dr. Morton, who is alleged to hold the position of manager in over twenty schools in the island of Trinidad, devoting thereto only part of his time; whether any of these schools, and, if so, how many, are housed in buildings erected by the reverend doctor, at an expenditure of £60 or £70, for which he receives a yearly rental of £32 10s.; and whether this is the same Rev. Dr. Morton who gave evidence before the East India Emigration Committee?
Mr. HARCOURTI understand that the Reverend J. Morton who gave evidence before the Indian Emigration Committee is engaged in missionary work in Trinidad, and I think it likely that he is a manager of some of the Assisted Schools in that Colony. The Governor will be asked to report upon the matters to which my hon. Friend refers.