Landslide To Negro Party In Bahamas

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31653, 13 April 1968, Page 13

Landslide To Negro Party In Bahamas

(N.Z.P A.-Reuter —Copyright)

NASSAU (Bahamas) April 11

The predominantly Negro Progressive Liberal Party has been returned to power in the Bahamas in a landslide election victory, which converted its one-seat majority into control of more than three-quarters of Parliament.

Pending the official recount of votes today, unofficial figures for the new 38-seat Parliament are: Progressive Liberal Party. 29. United Bahamian Party, 7 Labour Party, 1. Independent, 1. This gives the Progressive Liberals, led by the Prime Minister, Mr Lynden Pindling, a British-trained barrister, a 32-seat majority over its strongest rival, which is led by the former Premier, Sir Boland Symonette. The latter party is identified with the white business interests which controlled the island for many years. As the results came in last night, Mr Pindling’s supporters celebrated noisily in the streets of Naussau, singing and sounding car horns. No violence was reported. In the campaign before yesterday's voting the Opposition claimed that a Pindling victory would mean moves towards independence from Britain. One of the Opposition’s election slogans was: “Don’t turn your back on the Union Jack.” but the Prime Minister says he has no plans for early independence. He is. however, expected to press for full internal selfrule and the weakening of the powers of the British appointed Governor, leaving P-ritain responsible only for defence and external affairs Informed sources say he might request a constitutional conference in London as early as June.

Bahama’s status as a tax refuge for Bahamas • based companies is expected to continue unchanged, as will its emphasis on tourism as the backbone of the economy. The Negro population of the islands is 86 per cent of the total of 145,000. Mr Pindling came to power with his one-seat majority a little more than a year ago.