§ 82. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will advise Governments of the Leeward Isles to acquire from absentee proprietors some of their plantations and run them as profit-sharing plantations as is being done in the United States territory of Puerto Rico.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsA uniform policy cannot be laid down for the Leeward Islands generally since conditions differ widely between the Presidencies. The answer to the Question is therefore in the negative. The Puerto Rico system is, however, being borne in mind and the Governor informs me that the establishment of an experimental station in Nevis on profit-sharing lines is under consideration. Useful progress has been made in acquiring estates for land settlement on an individual holding basis, particularly in Antigua, where 12,000 acres have been so utilised.