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

5 FIRST WEST INDIAN
CONFERENCE
People throughout the British Caribbean turned their attention towards a
single island when the Dominica Conference was called in 1932. In the
west, the Jamaican Critic affirmed that the Leewards and Windwards
were over ripe for political reform: They have suffered so long that the
disease has now become quite chronic and will require powerful and
prompt remedy if the fever of discontent prompted by the incessant irritation
of malady is to be allayed. When small colonies such as these and
celebrated for their loyalty, are driven to such a pitch as to be in the
open defiance of the Government, the time has come to act.
Jamaica’s Daily Gleaner added: United action is desirable in
this phase of West Indian political life. Looking in the distance, the
Critic also pointed out: Jamaica and British Guiana stand to gain in
this respect, that the granting of advanced systems of Governments to
the smaller islands must necessarily lead to greater political privileges
in the larger colonies.
The means of communications among the islands was then
mainly by surface ships. The Lady Boats operated by the Canadian National
Steamship Service were popular. The journey to Dominica was
pleasant but long-drawn-out. A redeeming feature, however was facilities
by C.N.S. boats with an eye, even at that time, to capture part of the
tourist traffic. Nevis was then a port of call. As the boats touched at
island after island, the scenery of beautiful cloud-capped mountains
ringed by colourful tropical foliage doubtless gave additional inspiration
to the great men going to perform a great task.
The West Indian Conference opened on 28 th October 1932. At
the time T. Albert Marryshow, President of the Grenada Workingmen’s
Association and the elected member of the Grenada Legislative Council,
was in England where he was leading a delegation to the Secretary
of State for the Colonies seeking the abolition of the Crown Colony
System of Government in Grenada.
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