JNF-The-Working-Class-Struggle-of-Half-a-Century

tion candidly, it was obvious that outside of Dominica no such step
could be taken or effectively maintained.
Trinidad was hopelessly divided politically; Grenada could not
be relied on, Mr. Marryshow having advised us - when he conferred
with our committee - that he and his fellow unofficials could not
strengthen the common cause by following the Dominica example of
resignation en block from the Executive and Legislative Councils, as the
case might be, and boycotting any elections held under the existing constitution.
Public opinion in St. Lucia and St. Vincent would certainly
not sanction any flirting with un-constitutionalism. And the Northern
Islands were lukewarm, having at no time evinced any strong desire for
a constitutional change, notwithstanding the almost super-human efforts
of the stalwart Wilson in Antigua to teach his people - in the face
of overwhelming odds - the meaning of the true citizenship.
In Dominica itself the deadlock between Government and People
was acute, the prospect of serious trouble was not remote; yet the
dominant need was as it now is, for political tranquility and economic
reconstruction, which calls for active co-operation between rulers and
ruled. Our committee was not oblivious of the fact that with very few
exceptions the politically minded West Indian is unwilling to face prison
or poverty for the sake of an ideal, and that a sense of discipline is
not yet highly developed in the Caribbean. In these circumstances Non-
Cooperation was ruled out as impracticable and impolitic.
It must be reminded that, despite Dominica’s reputation for political
turbulence, the movement for constitutional reform has never
assumed a sectional or racial character here. The appeal has been to
an all-embracing West Indian Nationalism, and strenuous efforts have
been made to induce, the English element to descend from its pedestal
of aloofness and to pull its full weight in the local affairs for the common
good. The result of this policy of opportunity for all minorities -
and in my view the term minorities include the inarticulate masses who
enjoy a minimum of educational and vocational facilities - has been that
every section of the community has made a substantial sacrifice towards
the common end. Those sacrifices will not be in vain if the West
Indians of moderation and goodwill of all classes and complexions
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