Some American exporters petition the Assembly.

Farmers do not benefit from working in the ship yards.

Ship—building has retarded agricultural prosperity.

The Assembly has power over only the Crown Lands.

The sooner the timber is gone, the better!

Some high prices paid for knees.

Hazard’s Gazette, Charlottetown. 2 July 1853, p. 2.: Colonial Legislature. House of Assembly, Tuesday April 5th 1853. House in Committee of Supply—Hon. Mr. Jardine in the Chair.

EXPORT DUTY ON JUNIPER KNEES

Hon. Mr. [Edward] WHELAN, with reference to the Petition of John Frost, Fitz and Sewall, Edward Saville, and John Matherson, praying that no additional export—duty might be imposed upon Juniper Knees, and that the period for exportation might be extended beyond the 1St of July said, It is true that two or three of the subscribers are citizens of the United States, but I hold that that fact holds no argument against our complying with the prayer of the Petition, for these foreigners, having resided amongst us, and, by their outlay and investment of capital in the |s|and——in the case of some of them to the amount of £2000 or £3000—having stimulated and recompensed the industry of many of our people, ought to be regarded as friends and benefactors of the Colony . I maintain that, with respect to the Petitioners, the laying on of the extra duty is an unjust imposition. We have been told that the ship- building business is improving, and that if farmers will wait, they will in the end, be able to sell all the juniper on their farms to the ship-builders on the Island. Must they wait until they become so burthened with arrears of rent and other debts that they can no longer keep possession of their farms?

Hon. Mr. [George] COLES. As to those who abandon agricultural labour to work in the ship—yard, I am persuaded they obtain no lasting or substantial benefit by it. On the contrary, they frequently become so unsettled in their habits, through it, as to be quite unable afterwards, to settle down to any employment, to succeed in which, steady perseverance and patient industry are qualifications indispensably requisite.

It would, in fact, in my opinion, have been a benefit to the country, if there had not been half the number of ship-yards in the Island that there have been. Instead of having contributed to the agricultural prosperity of the country, they have greatly retarded it, and, if comparison be fairly made between those who have, for years, worked in the ship-yards, and those who have steadily devoted their energies in the improving of their farms, it will be found that the latter are possessed of much more substance, comfort, and respectability, than the former. If we determine upon any prohibition at all, let us confine it to the Crown Lands, with respect to which we have an unquestionable right to exercise a discretionary power, either for the imposition of restrictions, or otherwise.

Mr. [Robert] MOONEY. And, with all these truths staring us in the face, we presume to say to the poor farmer, "You shall not cut down your timber. We will not allow you to destroy the forests. The men now on green-wood farms must never expect to figure in society as independent farmers; they must live and struggle on in the bush and husband the juniper for the sole use of the ship—builders.

Hon. Mr. [William] LORD. Now, when l have turned the question well over in my mind, and duly considered the condition of the tenant farmer, it certainly does appear to me, that he ought to be at perfect liberty to sell or dispose of all timber, growing upon his land, just as he himself may please, and as it may appear to him will be most for his own individual benefit; In my own unprejudiced opinion, this country is best adapted to agriculture; and I therefore, think the sooner it is cleared of its timber, the better it will be for the general interest; for then agriculture will be prosecuted with all our energies as it ought to be. The Americans have, in some cases, been giving as much as 10s. a knee. One individual, I know, gave £50 for 100 knees; and that is what no island ship-builder would do. I would allow a duty of 3d. a knee on all now out down and ready for exportation, and is. a knee on all afterward prepared, dating

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