Duncan Sandys met with several groups during his visit to Jamaica. He spoke about the resilience of the Jamaican people and how confident they were in their operations, despite challenges.

Published Monday, January 7, 1963

Sandys, Realism, Confidence Here

- He leaves for home

Gleaner Western Bureau

MONTEGO BAY, January 6:

Britain’s Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and for Colonial Affairs, Duncan Sandys, accompanied by his wife and private secretary, flew from Montego Bay Airport by BOAC this afternoon at 12:05 on his return journey to London after a four-day stay in the island during which he met the prime minister, members of the Cabinet and the Leader of the Opposition, visited several places of interest, and made a broadcast to the people of Jamaica.

Sandys, before enplaning told the Bureau, “I have said all that there is to say. However, I can sum up the impressions I have gained during my short stay in Jamaica in two words: realism and confidence.

“Wherever I went, I was struck by the realistic appreciation of all with whom I spoke of the new problems and new responsibilities which Independence has brought, and, at the same time, with the firm confidence that the difficulties will be overcome and that Jamaica, by its united efforts, would find ways of steadily raising the standard of living of its people.”

At the airport to see him off were  Dr H. Eldemire, minister of health, and Mrs Eldemire, Gai Eaton, first secretary of the British High Commission in Jamaica, Police Superintendent F.S. Langford and Superintendent J. Ricketts, and E. Kidd, an associate of Eaton, Leslie Hammond and Sir Berkeley Ormerod, directors of Sceptre Trust.

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