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

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Mr. Marryshow then raised his tone to rally the people <strong>of</strong> this<br />

country against the detested Crown Colony System <strong>of</strong> Government - in<br />

this stirring speech, another gem <strong>of</strong> Caribbean classics. He concluded, I<br />

want you to resolve questions like these in your minds. What am I doing<br />

to make St. Kitts and the West Indies a safer place for the children <strong>of</strong><br />

the future?... Those <strong>of</strong> us who are carrying the heavy load are almost<br />

crushed by his weight. Bestir yourselves. If you have debating society,<br />

get your young friends to join them and to take part. Ask yourselves:<br />

What am I doing to make Saint Kitts and the West Indies safe for posterity?<br />

And in degrees as you think <strong>of</strong> these things the will to do will<br />

come, and Almighty God will inject into your minds a wholesome discontent<br />

with the present state <strong>of</strong> things, and you will become the true<br />

missionaries <strong>of</strong> the future, determined to do great work for those who<br />

are to come.<br />

Representation<br />

<strong>The</strong> St. Kitts Workers League invited the inhabitants <strong>of</strong> the territory a<br />

public meeting at the Apollo <strong>The</strong>atre on October 5 th to discuss the issue.<br />

<strong>The</strong> theatre was packed and crowds were standing outside as well. A<br />

newspaper report said: All classes <strong>of</strong> the population were fully represented,<br />

including members <strong>of</strong> the civil service, and the agricultural,<br />

mercantile, business, pr<strong>of</strong>essional and labouring interest.<br />

Among those present were four out <strong>of</strong> five <strong>of</strong> the Kittitian un<strong>of</strong>ficial<br />

members <strong>of</strong> the Legislative Council. <strong>The</strong> un<strong>of</strong>ficial members <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Executive Council were also represented. On the platform were persons<br />

<strong>of</strong> varying shades <strong>of</strong> opinion who spoke freely on the two resolutions<br />

that were before the meeting.<br />

<strong>The</strong> first resolution read: Be it resolved that this meeting is not<br />

in favour <strong>of</strong> the proposed Federation <strong>of</strong> the Leeward and Windward<br />

Islands Colonies and the Colony <strong>of</strong> Trinidad and Tobago under the present<br />

system <strong>of</strong> Crown Colony Government; And be it further resolved<br />

that unless and until some from <strong>of</strong> Representative Government is<br />

granted to the people <strong>of</strong> this Presidency, any proposal to federate these<br />

Islands be opposed. Officials <strong>of</strong> the Workers League and well wishers<br />

spoke in support. <strong>The</strong>y saw that this would have been a mandate given<br />

by the people. A spokesman <strong>of</strong> the wealthy class opposed the resolu-<br />

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