Tuesday, 16th July, 1946 1 DEBATES IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO An Extraordinary Meeting of the Legislative Council was held in the Council Chamber on Tuesday the 16th July, 1946. The Meeting was the first assembly of newly Elected and Nominated Members of the Council PRESENT : Ths Excettexcy Cart, Tar Hoy, Sik Bepe Epauxp Huw CLirrorp, G.C.M.G., C.B., MV.0., GOVERNOR, President. ‘Tur Honourante A. B. WRIGHT, C.t., C.B.E., .C., Colonial Secretary H, W. Wirson, i.c., Attorney General B. J. O'Brien, Acting Financial Secretary T. Roopat,—Member for Si. Patrick R.A. JosEPH.—Member for the Borough of San Fernando LL. C, Hannavs, x.c.—Nominated Member ALBERT GomES.—Member for North Port-of-Spain C. C. AmipH.—Member for the County of Caroni W. M. V. Ast. —Nominated Member Victor BRvaN.-Member for the Counties of St. David, St. Andrew, Nariva and Mayaro ALP. T. James.—Member for the Ward of Tobago Auprey JErrers, .3.0.—Nominated Member R. Kusan.—Member for the County of Victoria exclusive ‘of the Borough of San Fernando ©, Mananay.—Member for the County of St. George ‘exclusive of the City of Port-oj-Spain H, E, Rowinsox.—Nominaled Member Dr. P. V. J. Soomon.—Member for South Porl-of-Spain A. Story, D.F.c.—Nominated Member [Price 24¢.]2 Tuesday, 16th July, 1946 Each and every Honourable Member of the Council in turn according + the order of precedence in which the names of Honourable Members are given above, took and subscribed the oath prescribed by Clause XV of the inidad and Tobago (Legislative Council) Orders in Council, 1924 to 1443, After taking and subscribing such oath, each Honourable Member proceed to and took the seat appointed for hin at the Couneil table His Exceitency : It iy a very seal privilege to be able to address to-day the first Legislative Conucit in Trinidad to be elected on Universal suffcage and T have been asked hy the Secretary of State to deliver to you the following message on This memorable occasion = “To-day Jor the first time ip the history of your Island a Legisla- tive Council is assembled which has been elected on a basis of universal suffrage. On this notable occasion | offer my congratulations to the people of Trinidad and Tobayo and particularly to those who lave. Deen lected to the responsibilty cf initing this ne stage in the Colony’s political development. I am confident that they will do all in their power to inaintain and strengthen the system of Representa: tive Government and I wish the Colony.overy prosperity under their guidance”. (Apiplawse.) His Majety the King has been graciously pleased to convey to me through the Sectetary of Sate aulborty to summon, tothe Executive Counc the Honoorabe Member fur ‘Si. Patrick (Mr. Rooda),. the, Honourable Member for San Fernando ttt, josphy. the Honoumble Mr Hannays, tie Honourable “Member for Por-at-Spain, “North (Mr, Gomes), and’ the Honourable Member for Caroni (Mr, Abidh).”" (Applause) "Toler them congrtulations on the honour which lis been coneted upon them, have also much pleasure in anmouscing that T have appointed the folowing to be Rominated Members ofthis Council Honourable Mr, Leonard Hannays, x. Honourable Mr. Wiliam Ash Honourable Miss Audrey Jeffers Honourable Mr. Harold Robinson Honourable Nr. Alan Storey While they have been selected on general grounds they can, I think, claim to represent oil, sugar, agriculture and. industries generally. For Commerce have chosen the Acting Chairman of the Chamber whom I may presume enjoys the confidence of that body, I have also for the first time appointed a lady member from amongst our numerous and enthusiastic social workers. (Applause.) ‘As there has been an interval of eight years Between this and the fst election itis inevitable that there should be extensive changes inthe com: sion of this Connell as compared with the previews one. Some members Five not sought reelection, sone have reid on accom of tier demande fon their Gime hete and abroad’ of owing to avaneing yencs tendering 1 {imposibe for them fo contemplate «further fveyear tein in te service ol HE’ Cofony.” Iwi to\ convey to all former members cur thanks for the Valuable and patiotc services hey have Tendered. often, at considerable personal ‘sacthce (Applewse.) To" the “veterans. who. have sougbt Feelection and wiose past services throoghout the exacting war pevod ho:Tuesday, 16th July, 1946 3 won the renewed conlidence of the people 1 desire to extend a special greeting and express a eonfident lope that their experience will be placea unreservedly at the call of new members. Io new members, whose special function it Will be to bring fresh views to bear un the deliberations of this important new body, I offer hearty congiatulavons \s one who has been, for nearly vhirty years, closely associated with the Governments, administrations, constitutions, and political activities of two great Dominions and three Colonies I offer in spirit of helpfulness and co-operation the remarks I propose to address to you this moming. I only regret that custom obliges me on this occasion to deliver a written message. | would far prefer to speak extemporarily as it sounds so much less formal. The constitutional issue has attracted a good deal of attention of late but the Trinidad Constitution cannot be such a bad constitution since it has enabled the people to make even more sweeping changes at the receut elections that were brought about last year in English politics. T do not wish to imply that further constitutional changes are not desirable but I suggest that there are more urgent things to be done before we embark upon shea Un ihe nt plc, mow mpotant tha" member Te ture should satisfy themselves that they are an inte of the Geman. of he Coley. "Eeded member fon the largest dng boa in the Executive Council in which unofivial members are in the majority. Secondly, the Estimates Commitice of the Executive has « majority of elected members. Thirdly, the Finance Committee has. a similar majority and fourthly, T can recall no instance when nominated and oficial members have combined to frustrate the wishes of elected members. On the contrary an fnalysis which I had made some time ago of the divisions which have taken place in the Legislature has shown elected and nominated members on both Sides of the dividing line amd as President I have never yet cast a vote. The Position then is shit no potcy of plan cap ‘be pu ito eft without the Support of members of this Legislature You alone can vote the money nebesary to carry out poly and yon alone aye He makers of the lays Which govern the Colony. As three out of seven members who sought re-election were Teturned, the last Legislature was more representative than was generally opposes bat ogo the ar as cgi Seas ol ad a i fd eet lected on a very Tesiricted franchise members were naturally uneasy about their own positon and the people appear to have shared this uneasiness. Now Uhat elected members ate ‘reltmed on universal suffrage you can face, the future with confidence in yourselves as executors of the will of the whole people.” There is therefore no longer any reason why you should not identify Yourselves with the Government of the Colony. An entirely new era in the politics of the Colony’ is opening up before us. In forming the new Executive and appointing the nominated members T have been influenced by one consideration only—a desire to convince the people that this is their very own government and not @ remote and finsympathetic dictatorship, The time has come when we should all work together to try and change the public outlook towards government and towards those entrusted with responsibility. It should now be possible to put an end to the incongruous state of affairs which virtually compels members Of this Legislature to denounce the government of which they are a part in order to secure and retain the support of the clectorate. Henceforth, Honourable Members should be able not only to admit responsibility but to4 Tuesday, 16th July, 1946 (ake credit for the work they do in this Legislature instead of being always obliged to ciilicise. We will shortly be eiceing on univeisal sufftage County Councils over which the elected ineubets will be called upou t preci ‘These meetings will briag elecled inembers into sil close contact with th constitueals aud enable them to acyuaint themselves more really with the detailed needs of the counties. The privrity wi Hise needs in relation to the Tands available can be argued out subsequently atnongst memnbets when they assemble together in Finace Commitice to study the estimates and: make Tecommendations to te Legislature. County Courell meetings will also give Honourable Members an ideal opportunity of educating the electorate and convincing them that the government is their own government put there by them and responsible co them, 1 know this new tole wil demand a somewhat violent break with the “universal damnation’ creed of the past but itis the most important single duty” which fies before us since it utile to take further steps towards tesponsible government so long as the people refuse to support those in whom sesponsibility is vested. (applause) In choosing members for the Executive Council 1 have tumed first to the old members whose re-election indicates that the people approve of what they have accomplished in the past in addition to having faith in them for the future. Port-of-Spain, San Fernando and the South were unrepresented in the last Executive whereas St. George, Tobago and the Easter Counties were represented. It is impossible to include all electorates in the Executive so T hope these counties will not feet neglected. I am sue their elected members will take special care of their interests In choosing the nominated members I have secured representation of our ‘major industries and agriculture and for commerce. For the laiter I have selected the Acting President of that Chamber, There is a representative (or Social Welfare and the women electors. It is special privilege to me to be responsible for the first appearance in this Chamber of our first lady member and to welcome het here to-day. (Applause.) I feel sure that nominated members will keep in touch with their elected colleagues and acquaint themselves with the needs of the staff and workers as well as with the business of the oilfields, the sugar estates, farms and factories, These members are under no obligation to confine their participa- tion in the debates of this House to matters on which they are especially ‘qualified to speak. I think there is much to be said in favour of nominated members sitting in the same chamber with elected members provided they are not present in such numbers as to dominate the scene. If nominated members were to be removed from this Council the normal practice would be to create an Upper Chamber in which they would become remotely obstructive whereas sitting side by side with elected members they often make very valuable, constructive and technical contributions to the work of the Council and have been helpful to their elected colleagues. To see both conferring amicably and earnestly together is a common and gratifying spectacle frequently to be seen in this room, I have had much experience of this Decemeral system in other places and 1 do. not think that in a Colony Uke Trinidad it would work nearly as well as a single Chamber,Tuesday, 16th July, 1 realise as I compose this address that I may be unable in the time at my disposal before the Legislature meets to fill all the nominated seats. I will io $0 as soon as 1 conveniently can and. in the meantime 1 can only say that no signilicance and no motive need be assigned to the existence of @ vacancy should there be one In conclusion 1 should wish to offer a tribute to those members of the old Legislature, including especially those who are no longer with us, for the wonderful service they rendered during the exacting war period. 1 would wish to pay a very special tribute to the late Honourable Fred Grant who Gid a monumental job in the somewhat thankless bat most important office ‘of Food Controller. On behalf of the Honourable Members 1 would wish to convey to his wife and relatives our sympathy in the grievous loss which they and the Colony have sustained. Sometime ago the Honourable Sir Lennox O'Reilly pressed me io accept his resignation, He remained on longer than he had intended and we shall miss his eloquent voice in this Chamber and even mote so his sagacious counsel in debate. "1 mention him by name as the veteran of this House but in doing so 1 am mindful also of the fine service of my foriner colleagues in this Chamber and in the Executive Council whose able, disinterested and untiring work did so much to steer us safely through the difficult years of war. (Applause.) In welcoming members to-day I wish to pay tribute to their sense of public duty. in coming forward as the representatives of their respective Gistricts. Fighting an election is a thankless task while attending meetings ‘of the Legislature and various committees make heavy demands upon the time of Honourable Members. 1 sometimes reflect that the public is seldom fully conscious of the personal sacrifices you all make in order to carry out these onerous duties which frequently bring down upon you more criticism than thanks. ‘The Legislature will be adjourned for the summer recess to a date to be ot et. “IC is intended that you should have shor ret alter, your exhausting campaign and no business will be -presented to you to-day. thought however, that the senior elected member Height wish on behalf of his colleagues to endorse my expression of condolence to the Honourable Fred Grant and to thank the Secretary of State for the Colonies for his message. (Applawse.) I should like to say that Honourable Members have been seated here this morning in accordance with the usual practice. Should they amongst themselves wish 0 make any changes T personally will have no objection as President of the Council. (Applawse.) Hon. Tory Roopat: May it please Your Excellency, Honourable Members of this Legislative Council, ladies and gentlemen : “As T entered the portals of the Legislative Council this morning, 1 was told that I had to say Something, When I heard that I trembled, as I felt that notice should have been given However, itis my humble duty to do so and J find this mornin that Because of adult suffrage there is a great transformation in this Council, and consequently I find myseti automatically the senior member of this lect body Not only am T the senior, among the elected’ members but falso amongst the “officials”. Therefore, Your Excellency, it is my solemn Guty to hearken to your advice this moming and to pay iribute to my late friend, the Honourable Fred Grant. 1946 56 Tuesday, 16th July, 1946 My late honourable friend came from a very distinguished family, aux! At would gladden your hearts to know that We went tw school and to college together and as “we grew up te de men we were associated together (Appianse.) There was a great tricndshipt between the Honourable’ Fei Grant and myself, and that triexlship, 1 think, was of an indispensable character. And so it is my solemn duty’ to pay ttibute to one who sat around tis table but yesterday. To-day we find he is no longer in the fiesh. I have no doubt, if there is a spiritual existence, that the spirit ot the Honourable Fred Grant is hovering aver this hall al ours this morning, 1 would aiso like, Your Excellency, to thank the Secretary of State lor the Colonies for his very kind message to the people of this Colony and the members of this Legiskitive Council. 1 can assure you that we, the elected members, will do our very best to co-operate with Government, provided we find Government's behaviour justitable. (Applause.) When Government introduces any measure that is calculated to be of benefit to the toiling masses in this Colony, Your Excellency will have the elected members supporting you Too per Cent, If, however, om the other hand. Government introduces any measure that is calculated to affect the toiling masses af this Colony, ‘you will find the elected members 100 per cent. against you. (Applause.) ‘Your Excellency, this Colony is ours, and as you soe before you, Sit, also the product of those people who came to this Colony. To-day’ the cup is overflowing, and in the presence of vast wealth, there is abject poverty in this Colony. ‘Men and women are weeping and groaning under the yoke of ‘oppression, working for starvation wages. I do sincerely hope that measures will be introduced Jn the Colony to rectify this very serims condition, On the one side we have wealth, fabulous wealth. On the other hand there is abject poverty and, Your Excellency, the social problems of this country, the social conditions of this Colony are ruptured ; and we do sincerely hhope that remedial measures wil be introduced with a view to rectifying the social rupture. Your Excellency, on behalf of my colleagues, 1 want to thank you from the innermost recesses of my soul for the able manner in which vou administer the affairs of this comntry, and to say that vou cam depend upon us, the elected members particularly, to give you the fullest co-operation in rendering the balance of your service to this Colony successful. (Applause.) At 10.50 a.m, the Council adjourned sine de.