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

legislation pending consideration of variance between several
similar bills submitted to him by West Indian colonies and between
those bills and the model ordinance. The Workers’ League
had thus gained much ground; but there was a good deal more to cover.
Steadfastly the League re-inforced the drive to organise the workers,
and galvanised them to press for industrial reform.
The force of newspaper publicity formed part of the campaign.
The League featured a weekly column of its own in the Messenger to
rally the reading public in support of the workers’ cause. The Messenger
itself was an ally in the crusade. So there it was. The model for the
first compensation law had been sent out from London; but before it
reached the legislative body, the Secretary of State was taking another
look at it... Fair enough so far.
The Secretary of State took time to consider the differences between
several drafts of compensation laws submitted to him by the
West Indian colonies. Finally a model ordinance prepared in London
was decided upon and sent out as a guide. It was considered and passed
into law in the Leeward Islands on 24 th November.1937. The first fruit
of the League’s work in this field had materialized. Both the employers
and the Government now started to pay more regards to human suffering
and set a value to human life. It was a notable achievement to get
the law enacted. However, it was later discovered that certain parts
needed improvement, even at this early stage. In fact, there is nothing
under the sun that cannot be improved.
1938 Commission
The Workers’ League spared no effort in bringing these weak spots of
the law under the spot light. In 1938 a Royal commission was sent to
the West Indies to investigate social and economic condi-tions. The
League’s delegation presented a memorandum. Among ills of the country
which were brought to the Commission’s attention were some of the
disadvantages falling on the workers in the event of injuries and death
arising out of their employment. The employers were free of liability.
The chairman of the Commission was Lord Moyne. The League’s delegation
consisted of its principal officers led by Mr. T. Manchester, the
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