Black Rule In The Bahamas

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31656, 17 April 1968, Page 10

Black Rule In The Bahamas

An overwhelming Negro vote in last week’s General Election in the Bahamas confirmed in office the Progressive Liberal Party, led by Mr L. 0. Pindling, a London-trained barrister, which had unseated the white United Bahamian Party Government 14 months earlier. The success of the first Negro Government of the colony in 300 years had been expected. Indeed, the United Bahamian Party, supported largely by commercial interests which had virtually organised the economy of the islands to suit themselves since the introduction of internal self-government at the beginning of 1964, appeared to sense during the election campaign that the writing was on the wall. Some of its leading members had already left the country.

These included one of the party’s founders, Sir Stafford Sands, a multi-millionaire and former Finance Minister, who is now living in Spain. He had been closely questioned when a commission headed by a former deputy-commissioner of Scotland Yard, Sir Ranulph Bacon, inquired into charges that the Government of which Sir Stafford Sands was a member had permitted American gambling interests to penetrate the islands. Gambling casinos, in fact, continue in business: but they are open only to visitors. Moreover, they are now required to pay taxes from which they were formerly exempt. The Opposition has repeatedly predicted economic collapse under Negro administration; and during the election campaign it alleged that Mr Pindling would make an early bid for complete independence from Britain. Mr Pindling has since said that he has no intention of seeking independent status, in which he sees no advantage for a colony largely relying on tourists for its revenues. He admits that Bahamians might eventually want full sovereignty, but says that they will be content in the meantime with increased administrative responsibility, leaving only defence and external affairs in the hands of Britain. At present the Governor has reserved powers regarding internal security.

Mr Pindling, who will himself direct tourism and development, intends to make the most of the tourist industry, which continues to boom. Since January of last year nearly a million Americans have paid handsomely for their holiday relaxation among the hundreds of tropical islands that make up the archipelago. The colony’s enterprising Premier hopes to encourage an even larger influx and more extensive American investment. The election was orderly, and booming Nassau appears to reflect a fairly general prosperity. There seems no reason why Mr Pindling s Government should not look forward to a period of sound economic growth.