§ 24. Lieut.-Colonel Mooreasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make any statement with regard to the hunger march of unemployed persons in Kingston, Jamaica; and what steps are being taken to absorb unemployed workers in that island?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe Governor of Jamaica reports that there have been some attempts to organise demonstrations in the town of Kingston, but not on any considerable scale, the latest being of about 100 persons at the beginning of this month. There has been no disorder and demonstrators have dispersed quietly when called upon to do so. With regard to the second part of the question, a considerable programme of public works financed from loan funds has already been inaugurated and a further instalment is under active consideration. These public works should provide relief of unemployment. At the same time much attention is being given to the development of land settlement schemes with a view to a more permanent solution of the problem. To meet the special need of any unemployed who may be genuine town-dwellers and 1735 unsuited to agricultural work, consideration is being given to the possibility of establishing small factories for the processing of local agricultural products.