REFORM IN JAMAICA

Grey River Argus, 14 March 1941, Page 5

REFORM IN JAMAICA

ENLARGEMENT OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (Received March 13, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, March 12. Replying in the House of Commons to a question, in relation to the Constitution of Jamaica, the Secretary for the Colonies (Mr Hall), said that proposals for reform, based on recommendations of the West India Royal Commission, had been discussed with the Governor of Jamaica, who was recently in Britain. As a result, the following changes were recommended: — Universal adult suffrage. An enlarged Legislative Council to comprise approximately double the present number of elected members. With nominated members and three (instead of five) ex-officio members; the total number of the Council would be not less than 40. There were difficulties, in carrying cut those changes, Mr Hall added, in the absence of trustworthy statistics a's to population and as to the standard of local government, which had resutled in unsatisfactory social services. The Governor, therefore, was being requested to consider the carrying out of a census as early as possible. and to reorganise local government. Until that was done, and elections were held on a' new franchise, the reconstruction of the Legislative Council could not take place. There were, however, changes that could be made forthwith, and proposals to that effect were being placed before the Council, for discussion.