Jamaica hosted the second meeting between the heads of government from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and British Guiana. The leaders discussed issues faced by the individual nations as well as the region. There will also be a series of meetings with smaller groups to finalise some of the issues discussed.

Published Saturday, January 18, 1964

Commonwealth Caribbean conference ends

Early meeting of Regional Shipping Council urged

Jamaica call to parley on sugar if necessary

THE Second Conference of Heads of Governments of Caribbean Commonwealth Countries ended officially yesterday afternoon, though B.G’s Premier, Dr Cheddi Jagan, indicated that he would have further private talks last night with the other three leaders on the matter of his country’s constitutional position.

On its last day, the conference made two declarations, on foreign policy and economic aid, and discussed reports on shipping and trade expansion. No decision was taken on the need for establishing a Regional Police College – a proposal of British Guiana.

It was agreed by the conference that an early meeting of the Regional Shipping Connell be sought as a matter of urgency.

The next conference is to be held in Barbados beginning on July 27.

At the end of yesterday’s meeting, the following release was issued.

“The Second Conference of Commonwealth Caribbean Countries held in Jamaica concluded today.

It was attended by the heads of Government of Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and British Guiana and was under the chairmanship of the Honourable D.H. Sangster, Jamaica’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

Police College

“The conference considered a proposal from British Guaiana for the establishment of a Regional Police Training College. The Conference noted  the opinions were divided, and no decision was taken as to the necessity to establish such a college at this time. It was noted, however, that this decision would not deter Barbados, the Leewards and Windwards, and British Guiana from taking joint action on police training.

“Conference discussed fully and frankly the constitutional position of British Guiana and agreed that the four heads of government would meet in private outside the conference to carry on further discussions on this subject.

“The Report of the Shipping Sub-Committee was next taken and it was agreed that:

“(i) The Working Party set up by the heads of government at its meeting in Port of Spain in July 1963 should have a deadline to submit its report and that this should be the 31st March, 1964;

Urgency

“(ii) Representatives of the Council present at this conference should seek an early meeting of the Regional Shipping Council, prior to the 31st March, 1964, to consider as a matter of urgency, the future of the present shipping service and to seek concurrence of the proposals.

“(iii) A committee of ministers of Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, and British Guiana, should be appointed to consider the proposed Working Party’s report as soon as possible after the 31st March, 1964, so that the replacement of the existing shipping arrangements could be facilitated expeditiously.

“Certain aspects of the marketing policies for West Indian sugar were discussed, and it was agreed that if any important issues arose in connection with sugar before the next meeting of heads of governments, the four governments would confer and that Jamaica would take steps to convene the meeting.

“The following statement made by the Jamaica delegation was noted by the conference:-

“The Jamaica Government has taken note of the statement issued by the Rt. Hon. Dr Eric Williams, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, on his Government’s policy with respect to sugar. The Jamaican Government is in full agreement that no attempt shall be made to change the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement, and is fully in accord with his expression that it is one of the best of the commodity agreements.

“While the Jamaican Government would welcome obtaining further funds for economic development with particular emphasis on (a) sugar workers housing and (b) general housing, the Jamaican Government would, however, wish it placed on record that in seeking a possible source for such funds, that the proposal suggested by Dr Williams should be regarded purely as a potential source that may be convenient to the UK Government from which to provide such aid and that no attempt should be made to suggest that there be entitlement or right of access to this particular source for the purposes mentioned.

“With regard to future sugar negotiations, the Jamaican Government restates that while it does not abdicate its responsibilities to ensure obtaining the best possible agreements for its experts, in this particular … , our Government progresses to continue utilising the BWISA as negotiators on its behalf with the proviso that the Jamaica Government must be constantly kept informed and that there shall always be the fullest constitution between the association and Government prior to and during say negotiations, with Government reserving its full rights, responsibilities and powers’.

“Conference accepted the Report of the Sub-Committee on measures to be taken for the expansion of trade in agricultural products in the area.

“The Committee recommended that a team of experts under the auspices of the United Nations should be commissioned-

“(1) To survey the natural and the human resources of the region with a view to seasoning their potential for development.

“(2) To recommend ways and means of increasing trade within the region with special reference to the internal and regional aspects of marketing, transportation and communication facilities.

“To carry out the above terms of reference the Committee recommended a team composed of Regional and United Nations experts. These experts should be recruited from persons within the region or from among persons who have had experience in similar conditions prevailing in the region. The United Nations experts recruited from outside should be provided as far as possible with regional counterparts.

“The proposals submitted by British Guiana and Barbados for improving intra-regional trade by the exchange of market information were accepted, and it was recommended that;-

“Governments put into effect immediately, machinery for the exchange of quantitative information regarding the periods when shortages and/of surpluses of agricultural products exist, or are likely to occur in their respective countries.

The Government accepted the invitation of the government of Barbados to hold the third conference in Barbados in the week beginning July 27, 1964.

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