§ 91. Mr. Rileyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information regarding a recent labour deputation from St. Kitts to the Governor at Antigua; and what answer has been returned to the petition presented to the Governor, signed by 3,000 workers in St. Kitts, protesting against the recent decision of planters to discontinue the payment of the annual bonus to estate labourers?
§ Mr. A. S. L. Young (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply. The Governor of the Leeward Islands has informed my right hon. and gallant Friend of a dispute in St. Kitts arising out of the discontinuance of the annual bonus and its replacement by an equivalent increase in weekly wages. A strike was called by the Trade and Labour Union as from 17th July, My right hon. and gallant Friend is glad to say that the Governor has now informed him that a compromise acceptable to both parties has been arranged, and the union has ordered resumption of work.