The Jamaica papers report a growing movement to obtain com-
pensation from the British Parliament for the withdrawal of the protective Sugar-duties; and there is even a talk of forming a " league " for the purpose. The West Indians merit some set-off for the inconsiderate treatment which they have sustained on the part of the Imperial Legislature; but the degree of their success will depend upon the direction that their efforts may take. It may be premised that they will obtain nothing without the aid of public opinion in England. They propose to remove the pro- hibition on the use of sugar in distilleries, to equalize the duty on British and Colonial spirits, with other measures of the kind ; which the public here also desire, and would help to procure. But'the speakers at thei St. George's meeting mixed up with these objects some allusions to protection as a thing to be recovered, and to shiftings of duty on similar grounds : let them avoid that class of demands, for it will only provoke opposition with the real public in England. Free trade has been forced upon the anger- growers : let them simply demand that the advantages of free trade also be extended to them, and then they may have a branch of their league in London, not only without fear of be:ng laughed at, but with a fair chance of success.
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