Settled at last

C. Roy Reynolds

THE NEW Constitution of 1944 like everything else in Jamaica, was heralded by much controversy. The bickering persisted right up to the day when finally the document was approved by the Legislative Council.

News of its acceptance was carried in The Gleaner of October 12, 1944. But even so, it was accompanied by much acrimony, for the story quoted that even as the members of the Council were welcoming the new development, the seeds of political division were being planted. A Corporate Area representative, E.E.A. Campbell, delivered a blistering attack on the PNP declaring that it had a plan to "undermine the very existence of the country."

Other voices were milder. F. Gordon Veitch from Hanover, in his capacity as senior elected member, formerly moved the resolution calling for the adoption of the document and said that it represented a sincere outcome. He said that it was the culmination of a process which started ten years after Jamaica lost its constitution in 1865. And he added: "with the help of Almighty God, we shall write successfully on this new page of our history."

Echoing a sentiment that persists to this day Robert Barker, senior unofficial nominated member who seconded the resolution said, "Everyone, every organisation, every party should now sink differences and work together for the good of the country."

But there was still the matter of the King's consent. That consent was published in The Gleaner of November 1 said the report tersely: "His Excellency the Governor announced in the Legislative Council yesterday that the Secretary of State for the Colonies has advised him that on October 27, His Majesty the King made the order in Council and approved other instruments in connection with the new constitution."

The Governor went on to say that a meeting was to be held that very afternoon to set the date for the election.

Forfeiture

That very day, The Gleaner carried a story titled: "Something in a Name". According to that story, there were questions being raised as to whether W.A. Bustamante could legally contest the Western Kingston seat or even vote in the election. The question arose because it was suggested that he had not taken the necessary formality of changing his name from Clarke to Bustamante. And the story went that the process took three months and could not be completed before the elections, "as he had moved in the matter only a few weeks ago." Advice on the matter taken by The Gleaner was that he could run but if he succeeded, his opponent could file a petition which if successful, would lead to forfeiture of his seat.

November 17 was the day the constitution was formally proclaimed. That proclamation effectively cancelled the old Legislative Council.

But even in advance of the formal proclamation, a national holiday had been announced for November 20. On November 2, The Gleaner announced this as well as the date for nomination for the election, November 29, and that by law there had to be 15 clear day before election day. This effectively ended the controversy as to whether the election would be held in 1944 at all. Another thorny subject that had to be disposed of before was the settling of the ever controversial voters' list. A deadline had been set for September 19.

Wrong
listing

Earlier that day, the Chief Electoral Officer, A.J. Pelletier, reported to the Legislative Council that he considered the matter of extension to accommodate revision and had concluded that it was not necessary, especially as it would entail substantial delay in getting the machinery in order to meet the election date.

There had been numerous rumours of duplications, omissions and wrong listing, but the Chief Electoral Officer thought much of it was without substance. For example he reported, he had been called on the eve of the closing of the process by a certain person who reported that he had hundreds of applications for adjustments, but it turned out that that man could only produce 25 cards.

At last, in spite of all the difficulties and controversy, it was Nomination Day. Reporting on that exercise, The Gleaner of November 30 said that 130 persons had been nominated for the 32 seats. The headline also informed that the JLP had most of the nominations. But strangely, the newspaper said the day was "devoid of any particular interest."

Next, we will take a look at those nominations.

C. Roy Reynolds is a freelance journalist.

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