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

12 A QUESTION OF
REPRESENTATION
Where do we go from here? Looking around today we see the gradual
unfolding of a new scheme of things in the British Caribbean. It is a
new dash forward in a setting of world-wide conflicts and keen competition.
But what lies ahead? Trade missions are going through the Islands,
promoting ideas for the closer welding of our common interests.
Economists are preaching the doctrine of pushing ahead with industry
and commerce. The Caribbean free trade agreement, the Eastern Caribbean
Common Market and the Regional Development Bank are all designed
to create a necessary climate for vigorous strides in the march of
progress. But how much have we got by way of the essential factors to
ensure success? How much are we prepared to learn from a study of
the past? How much shall we profit from it?
When the Closer Union Commission of 1932 made the recommendations
which would move St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla one step
up the political ladder, what followed was a sort of hotchpotch. In the
Leeward Islands we were then all starting from scratch. The Commission
was cautious. Its report made special mention of the kind of opposition
to self-government which it had found. Several persons had admitted
to the Commission that the desirable changes in these Islands
could only be attained in stages. The report said, Other witnesses expressed
themselves strongly opposed to any form of Self-Government,
though in favour of increased control in local affairs. It is worth recording
that many of the witnesses in this and other Islands most strongly
opposed to any form of self-government at this stage were coloured , or
of direct African descent. This must have appeared odd to the Commission
since by far the greater part of the population were people of African
origin whose ancestors had been brought across the Atlantic as
chatel slaves in the profitable business of colonial exploitation.
However, the Commission took care to set out what it considered
to be best guide lines. In its report it quoted the words of the Wood
(Later Lord Irving) Commission of 1922. It must be borne in mind that
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