To the Editor of the "St Croix Avis. "
Mr. Editor,
At a time like the present, when there appears to he a prospect that the island will rise again from the depressed condition which a succession of bad years has brought upon it, it seems to me that among many other subjects there is one which in a high degree calls for the particular and thoughtful attention both of the authorities and the public, a matter which affects essentially the future of the colony. I refer to the Labour Question, to the future relations between employers and the labourers on estates, and it is my opinion that a quiet and rational public discussion of the subject would be very beneficial.
It is not many years since that one could scarcely touch on the subjeet of the labour regulations without giving offence, especially to the more prominent and influential planters of the time. Still less could one venture to propose the abolition of those regulations, or the substitution of others more suitable to the present age. During the last few years however a very considerable change has come over the line of thought which the planters follow on this subject. Now it is not enough that the Government has fixed a time within which the present regulations will be abolished and replaced by new ones; but we frequently hear the planters expressing a wish that they were already abolished. It is even said that they cannot stand many months longer, and we hear loud complaints that the erection of the Central Factory has (as indeed must have been foreseen) interfered seriously with the definite relations of employer and labourer. A change has thus been already brought about which should at once be regulated in a legal way, if we would avoid mischievous and in some degree incalculable consequences.
Although not a planter and not acquainted with the details, I have no doubt that the greater number of the complaints which we hear are justified by the facts, and I only see one way to stop the evil at once, which is to bring the matter into public discusssion. Let our authorities, planters and more experienced and prominent citizens work together, having regard to the rights and interests of all parties. To allow the matter to continue for a longer time to drift on in its own way, to be content with discussing it in private circles, and complaining against the authorities, who apparently are expected to initiate everything, is not satisfactory. In the mean time one party is working against another, and the system of bribing the labourers is said to be flourishing, a system which can only increase the evil complained of.
It appears to me that many of our colonists are inclined to look to the Government for everything, but omit to lend a helping hand themselves; in short, are inclined to overlook their duty as members of the community to labour to the best of their abilities for the common good as well as for their own individual interest.
It certainly must be admitted to be well known that our labouring people, and especially the natives, are a quiet and, with good treatment, easily managed people. We have before seen sudden and important changes introduced without any serious disturbance. We have hitherto escaped that pest of most countries "strikes".
Ought not these fortunate circumstances to be appreciated and ought they not to call on our prominent men to take such measures as shall lead to a wise, liberal, and gradual passage from the present labour laws to others which in a longer or shorter time shall replace the "old"
The successful solution of this problem deeply concerns the future welfare of the Island, for nobody will deny that a gradual change in so serious and important a matter is much to be preferred to a sudden change which might produce an indefinite amount of mischief.
There is no doubt that the Authorities concerned have for some time given this important matter n considerable degree of attention, and we shall no doubt soon see preliminary steps taken for settling it, say by the appointment of a Commission or such like; but it cannot be otherwise than helpful in the matter that it should be publicly discussed, and that those who are acquainted thoroughly with the working of the labour regulations would contribute to the best of heir ability to point out the defects of those regulations, and show what should he substituted for them so as to be satisfactory to all the parties concerned.
So far as you Mr. Editor may share view similar to those above set forth, I would beg you to publish them, in the hope that you as well us others who may write on the subject will treat it with that fulness and completeness which its importance deserves.
Yours truly. A COLONIST.
(St. Croix Avis 5. juni 1878).
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