A deputation from Satnaica, to represent the grievances of the
planters, has reached this country, and been received in full divan by the Liverpool Jamaica Association. The time selected would seem to intimate that the deputation has been attracted by the accession of the Derby Ministry ; that the Jamaica planters Ratter themselves the men now in office are their friends, able and 'wil- ling to help them. This propensity to lean on the broken reed of Ministerial favour has been from the beginning the source of an erroneous policy among our West Indian colonists. They have trusted almost every Ministry in succession, and have been thrown overboard by each. There is no doubt that the West Indians have suffered and are suffering greatly ; as little, that they are entitled to lay the rester part of their suffering at the door of the English Ministers, Parliament, and People. It was shown by one of the earliest and most eminent of Free-traders, Mr. Deacon Hume, that the case of our Tropical Sugar-planters was exceptional, not to be brought within the categories of free trade ; and yet the policy of free trade VMS precipitately, without rational preparation, extended to them. The West Indians, how- ever, were well warned of what was coming. They were assured that no party or government in this country would expose itself to danger, or even inconvenience, to protect them. They were ex- horted lay their own shoulders to the wheel, before it was too late. But th.ey fancied they knew better, and wasted time in vain efforts to hold the balance of political parties here and win the Government's support. Events -have shown how fallacious was the trust they reposed in such strategy. Yet it would appear they are preparing to play over again the game at which they have so often lost. Imitating the equivocal language of the Derby Minis- try, they profess not to ask protection, but merely reduced duties on their produce. Now it is seen at a glance, that as the reduc- tion of d.utibs they speak of would affect only their own, not fo- reign-grown sugars, they are in fact asking for differential duties —that is, for protection, under another name. This no Ministry can now give them if it would : nor will the present Ministry go out of its way to serve them either in that or any other manner. Their claim to compensation is not unjust in itself, but it is hopeless as against the wrongdoers. Their demand for labour- facilities is both just and reasonable : but it will be met and defeated, as it ever has been and still is, by bureaucratic chi- canery. If the Jamaica deputies doubt, and require a sign, let them ascertain all that has passed in the latest intercourse of West Indian bodies with Government offices about the admission of labourers from China.
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