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The vanguard role played by the Jamaica Progressive
League (JPL) in the national movement that brought political
independence to Jamaica. This began with the struggle around
self government. Thus includes achieving universal adult suffrage,
the founding of the PNP as well as the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Mr. James Carnegie book "Aspect of Jamaican Politics1918-1936",
the PNP's publications Man of Destiny (1954) and The Founding
of the Peoples National Party (1980), would serve as valuable
source of reference. History should be accurate, where ignorance
exists, that should be admitted to and there should be enlightenment
where the facts are known. I will use this opportunity to shed
some light. In the late Mr. John Young's (a former member of
the JPL) publication (1981) appropriately titled "Lest
we Forget-1936 - 1979"
Challenge accepted.
The death of a promising young man spurred the activity of
a group of Jamaican residents in New York City. Headed by one
Mrs. Druso Goodison, this group spearheaded a drive to raise
funds to purchase an ambulance for Mercy Hospital in Jamaica.
The year was 1935 having achieved its goal, word was received
that a gentleman would like to address her group. They agreed
to accommodate this person.
A Mr. Mallet introduced Adolph Roberts, who challenged the people
in attendance to work for self government and the development
of Jamaica.
"For", said he, "the present Colonial status,
with the attendant political and social system is structured
to serve the best interest of the Europeans and Jamaicans of
light complexion". The dark-skinned or black Jamaican was
little better than bond slaves under the system. The challenge
was accepted.
Jamaica Progressive League Launched
Organized by Wendell Mallet, a number of Jamaicans gathered at
the Harlem office of Dr. Lucien M. Brown on the evening of August
3, 1936. Adolphe Roberts was again the guest speaker. He emphasized
"the need for a society to promote social and political
reforms in Jamaica". The spark had now become a glowing
cinder. Another meeting was called for September 1, 1936. At
the meeting scheduled, "THE JAMAICA PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE "was
formally launched.
Encouraged and inspired by the president, three pamphlets were
published by the League Pamphlet # 1 "Self Government
for Jamaica. Pamphlet #2 was on Injustice in the Civil Service
of Jamaica",
.prepared by the: Rev. Ethelred Brown, the league's secretary.
Pamphlet #3 was a small propaganda sheet.
The visit to Jamaica of the first Vice President, Mr. W. A. Domingo,(former
editor of the Negro World) helped in great measure to commend
the League to Jamaicans at home. It aroused interest in the program,
thus creating public opinion which resulted in the launching
of the National Reform Association (N.R.A.)
On December 6, 1937 through the effort of Mr. W. G McFarlane,
the Jamaica branch of the Jamaica Progressive League was launched.
Incidentally, on the 22nd of December, 1937, the Readers and
Writers Club of Kingston requested that Mr. Roberts, the League'
first president, address them on the issue of self government.
They were very impressed with his presentation to the extent
that they asked their own president, Mr. H.G. Delisser, then,
editor of the Daily Gleaner, to take a stand on the issue.
From the offset he was totally opposed to the issue of self
government for Jamaica. Consequently, the following day he resigned
his position as president of the Readers and Writers Club in
protest.
It is alleged that Delisser said that Jamaica would get self
government over his dead body, and so it did.
Roberts went on to address the Jamaica Union of Teachers, This
occasion attracted large numbers of people Thousands of circulars
were regularly distributed in New York, announcing the current
activities and achievements of the League, both in the United
States of America and in Jamaica.
A new Constitution for Jamaica was being prepared by the New
York Chapter of the Jamaica Progressive League. In Jamaica, Mr.
Delisser and the Gleaner Company were slowly but surely losing
their battle insofar as the self Government Issue was concerned.
A new paper "the Standard", though short-lived, made
its appearance. It gave support to the idea. Unfortunately, the
efforts of the New York branch of the League to produce a newspaper
was not supported.
The main branch of the League in New York continued to address
itself to an assortment of problems, e.g., the high postal rate
from Kingston to New York, and the Civil Service. The former
was considered unreasonably high. Through the instrumentality
of the League, the rate was reduced.
In 1937, a vacancy for the position of Postmaster General occurred
in the Jamaica Civil Service. It was customary for positions
of this category to be occupied by Europeans. The League felt
that this position should now be filled by a Jamaican national.
Such a person was W.A. Campbell. A man of integrity, good repute,
highly qualified, and able.
The Jamaica Progressive League made representation to the Colonial
Secretary in Jamaica, and the Secretary of State for the Colonies
in England. Mr. Campbell was appointed. He served with distinction
for many years until his retirement. This was a great achievement
and the beginning of many such victories for the Jamaican nationals.
Things were moving fast. Adolph Roberts went on a lecture tour
in Jamaica, while Domingo kept the home fires burning in New
York. Roberts returned to New York in late 1938. He reported
that large crowds attended meetings and displayed great interest
wherever he spoke." Independence for Jamaica" was his
topic. Among places he spoke were the Ward theatre in Kingston,
cinema houses in Linstead and Port Maria.
Personal interviews were numerous, but the crowing glory of his
tour was the subsequent formation of a political party.
The Founding of the Peoples National Party
Jamaica was now aware of its potentials, Norman Washington Manley,.
was by this bitten hard and infected by the independence bug
(W. A. Domingo's positions was : "Independence then Federation
").
Decision had been taken to form a political party with the aim,
"Independence for Jamaica"
The first message delivered by Norman Washington at the Ward
Theater in Kingston on September 18, 1938 was very refreshing.
He accepted the Leagues' position that self government
for Jamaica should be the mean. The gravity of the Island's situation
led the Jamaica Progressive League to realize that self-government
for Jamaica was not just timely but imperative. Accordingly a
meeting held at the office of N. N. Nethersole, 7 Duke Street,
Kingston. Here, began the foundation for a political party for
Jamaica. Subsequent meetings were held at the Silver Slipper
Club at Cross Roads. Prior to the launching and naming of the
Peoples' National Party, a Steering Committee was elected to
make the necessary plans for organizing and management of the
party. This committee, named six other committees. "Planning
Committees", as they were called. McFarlane was named to
serve on three of those committees, namely: The Political Committee,
The slum Clearance and Housing Committee. At the meetings of
the Political Committee of the embryonic People's National Party,
the majority of its members advocated the demand for 'a representative
form of government for Jamaica" while McFarlane insisted
on the implementation of the demands of the Jamaica Progressive
League, "for responsible self government for his colleagues
on this point at the Committee stage, but when the first Annual
Conference of the People's National Party was held at St. George's
Hall in February 1939, he obtained organized support from the
parent body in New York. The league sent W. Adolph Roberts and
W. A. Domingo from New York to attend this conference. They,
in turn contacted a number of delegates to the conference.
When the question was "put" whether the conference
would support the demand for "Responsible Self government"
or "Representative Government": the conference voted
overwhelmingly in support of "responsible Self government"
for Jamaica as advocated by the league.
1938 - Frome Riots
The national movements got its first big chance when the
sugar workers at Frome started a revolt against the inhuman conditions
under which workers
had been forced to work for a long time. .The Jamaica Progressive
League had successfully injected the serum of economic and social
reform based on self government into the minds of the Jamaican
people. In January 1938, some one thousand cane cutters on the
Serge Island Sugar Estate in St.Thomas demonstrated their dissatisfaction
with the poor working conditions and low wages. They embarked
on a series of demonstrations. The constabulary was summoned.
They responded with force, armed with rifles and bayonets. This
was Jamaica's New Year's gift for 1938.A few days later, January
5th to be exact, at the same site there was a re-enactment. On
This occasion, the demonstrators were armed with machetes, stones
and bottles, the only ammunition at disposal. Despite the efforts
of Alexander Bustamantee and others who addressed the demonstrators,
a clash ensued between the demonstrators and the police resulting
in many injuries and arrests.
The Jamaica Progressive League undertook the defense of all the
arrested workers. The day before start of the trial, the services
of E.R.D. Evans, A solicitor who was a member of the league,
were secured to undertake the defense. He did a very good job
considering the short time he had to prepare for the trial. Most
of the workers were freed of the charges. Some paid fines from
ten shillings to fifteen shillings. No one was imprisoned. Another
victory scored by the Jamaica Progressive League.
1938 - A Social and Economic Program for Jamaica
On August 1, 1938 the Directors of the Jamaica Progressive
League of New York declared that the then labor troubles in the
Island of Jamaica were the result of long smoldering feelings
of dissatisfaction with, and resentment
against, the deplorable low and unsatisfactory economic and social
conditions prevailing there. Those conditions had for generations
been
passively borne by the workers. Having at last reached the limit
of human endurance, they produced the inevitable consequence
of protest and revolt. The Directors, therefore, submitted the
following social and economic program as the minimum which should
at once be instituted, in order that the intolerable and dangerous
situation may be relieved.
1 Civil Liberties
We Advocate that:
1. All the civil rights and liberties enjoyed by the people of
England be recognized as applying in Jamaica, and that hereafter
they be not abridged.
2. Discrimination by reason of color, race or creed is prohibited
to establishments catering to the public in Jamaica.
3. Suitable penalties, or reprisals, are inflicted on steamship
companies who's Ships enter or leave Jamaican ports and which
discriminate against Jamaicans by reason of color, race or creed.
11 Labor
We Advocate that Laws Be Immediately Passed to Provide:
1. A minimum wage.
2. Old age pension for the Indigent, to begin at the age of 60.
3. Unemployment Insurance at the expense of the government and
the employers.
4. Workmen's compensation for injuries.
5. The prohibition of child labor under 15 years of age.
6. A standard 8 hour day and the regulation of the conditions
of labor in factories.
7. The proper housing of workers and strict adherence to a modern
sanitary code.
8. That labor Unions be permitted to function legally.
9. That the "master and Servant's Act and all similar legislation
be repealed.
10. That the Importation of non Jamaican workers be prohibited,
except for scientific, technical and artistic services not locally
obtainable: and that all establishments employing help shall
give preference to Jamaicans to the extent of 75 per cent.
111 Education
We Advocate that:
1. Elementary education is made compulsory throughout the Island.
2. Free lunches are provided for Indigent children and free books,
pencils, etc., for all.
3. The age of entrance to elementary schools be lowered to five
years, and free kindergarten departments established in all schools.
4. A comprehensive system of adult education is instituted, in
order to reduce the appalling rate of illiteracy.
5. An extensive program of school building is undertaken, especially
with a view to increasing the number of trade and vocational
schools. An Island-wide system of free secondary schools is founded.
6. A University Of Jamaica is established at the earliest possible
moment.
7. The curriculum of the various training colleges for teachers
be broadened and modernized.
8. The salaries of elementary school teachers are materially
increased.
9. Discrimination based on color or race or class is not allowed
to operate in the granting of scholarships.
1V Health
We Advocate that:
1. Vigorous steps to be taken to reduce the infant mortality
of the Island.
2. The sphere of service of visiting doctors and nurses in the
rural districts is extended, and the medical department be improved
generally.
3. Complete and modern hospital facilitates be provided throughout
the island.
4. Purveyors of food are compelled by law to undergo regular
medical examination, and that health certificates be prominently
display in all food- distributing establishments.
5. Periodic medical and dental examination of all school
children be provided.
6. The nutrition problem of the Island is tackled, by taking
steps effectively to improve the dietary and general health habits
of the people.
V Water Supply
We Advocate that:
1. Comprehensive surveys are made of all potential sources of
supply.
2. Irrigation facilities be extended and made available to small
settlers.
3. Storage tanks and wells are provided in every village, to
be the end that a good water supply is assured for agricultural
and sanitary purposes.
4. A complete sewerage system is provided for Kingston, lower
St. Andrew and all large urban centers.
VI Reforestation and Parks
We Advocate that:
1. The replacement of trees be made compulsory and new forests
and new forests created in denuded areas.
2. All laws relating to the protection of forests are enforced.
3. Our unique heritage of scenic beauty and primeval forests
in the Blue Mountains be preserved by means of a large natural
park maintained by the government and forever open to the public.
VII Land Settlement
We Advocate that:
1. When the government acquires privately held property for land
settlement, it mandatory to purchase at no more than the taxable
valuation originally set by the owner.
2. Every land settlement scheme shall provide for adequate housing,
agricultural implements and seeds free or at cost.
3. Roads be constructed to serve the new community.
VIII Industry
We Advocate that:
1. The importation of ready-made articles be discouraged, when
they are, when they are of the sort that can be inexpensively
manufactured locally.
2. The establishment of new industries is encouraged, as a means
of reducing unemployment and that government aid be extended
thereto when necessary and without creating monopolies.
3. A wider use of the agricultural and other products of the
island be stimulated and tariffs adjusted to this end.
4. All petro-driven vehicles are required to use a maximum proportion
of Jamaica- made alcohol.
IX Agriculture
We Advocate that:
1. Small model farms be established in every parish and worked
on a paying basis, to serve as an object lesson for the small
settlers and to train men to be scientific agriculturists.
2. The field of agricultural instruction is extended.
3. Economic plants be introduced, to diversify the products of
the island and to increase its exports.
4. New foreign markets are opened.
5. Loan banks be established at suitable centers and the interest
rate set at a reasonable figure.
6. Live stock be imported more extensively to improve breeds
and made easily available to the small settlers.
7. The people be educated in the principles of co-operative marketing
and the necessary facilities provided.
X Taxation
We Advocate that:
1. The incidence be lessened on smaller holdings and increased
on larger especially on such holdings as are held in ruinate
or for speculative purposes.
2. The income tax be increased and made to apply to all incomes
earned by absentee owners.
3. Equitable taxes are assessed on the gross profits earned in
Jamaica by corporations banks, insurance companies, public utilities,
holding companies, etc.
XI Franchise
We Advocate that:
1. Universal suffrage and equal franchise qualifications for
both sexes be established.
2. All property qualifications for the holding of public office
are removed.
3. The present residential qualifications for candidates for
the Legislative Council are liberalized.
XII Census
We Advocate that:
A census of the island's population is taken as early as possible,
and that it list the unemployed.
XIII Immigration
We Advocate that:
1. as a means of improving the economic conditions of the island,
immediate steps be taken to impose greater restrictions on the
entrance of all immigrants not of Jamaica birth or parentage.
2. All immigration from such countries (British or otherwise)
which bar Jamaicans by reason of race, color, language, or creed
be strictly prohibited.
XIV Civil Service
We Advocate that:
1. In every case of appointment and promotion, all other things
being equal, Jamaicans be given preference over all other persons.
2. All racial discriminations are removed.
3. All racial barriers to promotion in the Police Force and Military
are removed.
4. There be put into effect without further delay the Resolution
recently passed by the Legislative Council calling for a return
to the system of open competitive examinations as the means of
entrance to the Civil Service of the island.
The Directors of the Jamaica
Progressive League of New York would re-emphasize the statement
that the above is the minimum program which should be put into
effect without delay, in order that the island may be relieved
of the existing deplorable and dangerous conditions. The time
for vacillation or deferment is past. Now is the time for prompt
and decisive action. The duty of the government is clear and
inescapable. The situation is desperate, but not hopeless. With
a sympathetic and statesman-like approach to the pressing problems
which face us, the day for Jamaica may be saved.
The Directors summon the government to arise to the necessities
of the hour and let the prompt and effective action of the future
redeem in a measure the neglect and indifference of the past.
The reputation of the government and the welfare of the people
are at stake.
The above represents a minute but some of the bold efforts of
the role the JPL played in the early years of our Caribbean nation
state Jamaica. This writer is of the opinion that the Jamaica
Progressive League represents an historical institution that
has impacted over the years upon the life of every single Jamaican,
dead or alive. In 1964, for example, only one hundred (100) Jamaicans
and Trinidadians as well as some African countries could enter
the United States annually, this was changed through the efforts
of the league. President Johnson signed the bill at the statue
of liberty instead of the white house, on October 3, 1965, he
handed the pen he used to the then president of the league Ms.
Beryl Henry.
This is one institution we should all be working to transform
into becoming a permanent fixture in our communities, internally
and externally. Over the years the Leagues membership like just
about most other Jamaicans have suffered from an ignorance of
the historical contributions of the League.
Most unfortunately, the leadership of the League over the
past decade or so appears to be very comfortable with the League
functioning without an agenda, any direction and instead be nothing
more than an affiliate of the Peoples National Party. Instead
of been that visionary political organization, advocating or
lending support based upon some common ideological or philosophical
agreement. The practice, appears to be where there are potential
visionary members, they are labeled and isolated.
THE PEOPLE' NATIONAL PARTY AND THE JAMAICA PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE
In 1939 when the People's National Party was the only party
in Jamaica, Adolph Roberts and Wilfred A. Domingo attended its
first annual conference of the newly-formed party, pressing the
self-government issue for Jamaica. The League came out of that
conference victorious in principle. The major plan and their
heart's, responsible self-government for Jamaica, would be preceded
by the granting of adult suffrage. It was on this occasion, for
the first that a coalition with the People's National Party was
agreed upon. It provided for two representatives from the League
to be present at the People's National Party Conferences. The
party should consult and report to the League on all major issues:
The league would insure that the terms of the agreement would
be monitored to insure success.
The Jamaica Progressive League was founded upon the desire for
an improvement in the quality of live of the Jamaican People.
Purely out of circumstances did it become a supporter of the
People' National Party. The league has always held, and should
continue to hold, open relationship with all political parties
in Jamaica.
Unfortunately, the consequences of the continued prevailing ignorance
and absence of the League's role in the larger Jamaican community
in North America is (a) the unanswered question as to whether
ensuing generations of Jamaicans are part of the continuum, thus
the emergence of a number of "Christine" and Christopher
Columbuses along with their numerous organizations. Thus, instead
of uniting, the Jamaicans we simply continue to perpetuate the
culture of tribalism, divided into well over a hundred (100)
Tribes. I would like to make this categorically clear this
statement is by no means to negate the contributions of these
various organizations. Rather it is more to question how much
in abstraction they are functioning in terms of the larger picture.
For example, if in 1935, an adhoc group of Jamaicans (how
many could have been here then?) here rallied and sent an ambulance
down to Jamaica. What if the question of the continuum was collectively
answered in the positive? A number of districts in Jamaica could
have experienced an improvement in the ratio of doctors, dentists
and nurses to patients with the number of community clinics that
could have been built over the past seventy (70) years, as well
as an organized market for Jamaican commodities which would result
in improvement in employment and less crime.
Herman A. Thompson is Past
chairperson of the Jamaica Progressive League Youth Group (1980).
One of the founders and former general secretary of the PNPYO
North American affiliate; the Progressive Youth Organization
of Jamaica (PYOJ). Ini1@optonline.net
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