§ 35. Mr. Palingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Public Meetings Law enacted on 23rd June, in Jamaica, giving the Governor power to restrict the right of public meeting and processions at will, was submitted to him for his consideration; whether he considered other means of controlling the hooligan and criminal element, on whose account the Governor stated the law was essential, before imposing repressive legislation on peaceful citizens seeking to ventilate their grievances in a legitimate and normal way, and why, as the unrest which exists in Jamaica is due to the fact that little has been done to improve the economic and social conditions responsible for the trouble in May, 1938, he did not take steps to deal with these evils instead of sanctioning legislation of this kind passed without proper consideration by the local legislature?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe Public Meetings Bill was not submitted to me before being introduced in the Legislative Council, but I approved the principle of the legislation before it was introduced. With regard to the last part of the question, much has been done in the last year through increases of wages, new public works, land settlement and other means to improve conditions. The full development of these activities will take time. As hon. Members know, the Royal Commission has also visited the island and is now preparing its report.
§ Mr. PalingIs it not a fact that the troubles which have arisen, and which have been mainly responsible for the new legislation, have arisen because very little 391 has been done in the fifteen months or more that hare elapsed since the troubles of May, 1938, and is it not a fact that no houses have been built, that the land settlement has made no provision for the unemployed, that trade unions are still at a disadvantage, and that the unemployed generally have had no relief of a suitable character given to them?
Mr. MacDonaldI do not accept that sweeping description of the situation. A great deal has been done during the last twelve months, but I would make the point that in all cases it takes time for schemes for the relief of unemployment and so on to produce their maximum effect, and the pace during the last twelve months has necessarily been slower than it will be as the schemes develop.
§ Mr. PalingIf the right hon. Gentleman will not accept the sweeping description, will he look at the individual items I have mentioned and tell me where I am wrong?
§ Mr. RileyIs the legislation in connection with public meetings of a temporary or permanent character?
Mr. MacDonaldI am still expecting the text of the Bill. My impression is that it is not a temporary measure, but I should like to have notice before giving a confident answer.