Prime Minister Michael Manley highlighted the positive impact of the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association on the economy. Several companies were awarded for their success in the exportation of different goods.

Published Monday, May 13, 1973

PM praises JMA

Tributes were paid to the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association by the Prime Minister, the Hon. Michael Manley, on Friday night for demonstrating in a “real way” the part that institutions like theirs could play in a democratic society in creating a dynamic presence.

An “alert and tough” organisation such as the JMA that watched the unfolding of public affairs was a wonderful example of how institutions could participate with a “government of participation” for the good of a developing nation, the Prime Minister said.

Mr Manley was speaking at the annual banquet and awards presentation to individual members of the JMA who had excelled in exports during the years 1972-73.  Nineteen companies participated in this year’s awards for the “most coveted trophy” – the Prime Minister’s Trophy for Export.

The trophy for the year 1972-73 was won by Vicks Chemical.  Mr Rex Howieson received the trophy from the Prime Minister on behalf of his company.  Other winners of awards were Cadbury Foods Jamaica Limited, who placed second and Jamaica Razor Blade Company, the third prize winner.

Making the presentation, the Prime Minister congratulated the other participating firms.  He said that the Government was very proud of the efforts behind the successes, and expressed the hope that their efforts would help to stimulate others.

Frank talk

Declaring that it was time for “frank talk” about his Government’s new policies, the strategic concepts  that underlined them, what they were trying to do and the part the manufacturers could play, Mr Manley spelt out his Government’s thinking on education, the setting up of a nutrition centre, and the role of the private sector and public sector.

The Prime Minister assured his audience that there was no dichotomy between the Government and the private sector. He said the assumed conflict between the two was unreal.

“There is no greater tragedy that could undertake a country when there was a misunderstanding between the Government, the private sector and the public sector,” the Prime Minister declared.

He said that he was cognizant of the problems affecting the industrial sector, and that he was aware that much of the country’s future depended upon how much it developed its industrial sector.

“We need to find a way of driving all the sectors forward.”

Devotion

Therefore, there was need for the people to be educated because the country could not produce  no matter how great its efforts unless the engine for work was available – the people.

He said that he would be devoting some time shortly to looking at maximum consumer protection in a climate of confidence, within which the private sector could also expand with confidence.

He spoke on the need to revolutionise the general posture of export. The future, however, the Prime Minister said, was going to be determined by the extent of the JMA’s entrepreneurial vision.

The Prime Minister dealt with the Common Market and reminded his audience that all the relevant documents would be placed before the Parliament for everyone to see.  On CARIFTA, he said that unless it was brought into some kind of rational focus, it would always carry an inherent danger of being an umbrella under which multinational industries could become a threat to local industries.

The Hon. Robert Lightbourne spoke on the history of JMA which, he said, had moved from one small office to a place that could now outrival Gordon House.

He also dealt with the Common Market stating that he was not against it in principle, but he had yet to be shown the advantages: “It eludes me completely, if we imagine it can increase trade only by raising the external common tariff.”

Mr Lightbourne said that what was needed was a widening of CARIFTA, and an increase in the size of the market was how he saw it.  He said that the present size of CARIFTA could not satisfy the aspirations of the people.

The Prime Minister was introduced by Mr Ryan G. Peralto.  The vote of thanks was moved by Mr Douglas Vaz, vice-president of the JMA.  Mr Ray Miles was chairman.

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