Tropical Islands
p. 27 · Read in the full issue
Future Government of Tropical Islands
A LTHOUGH the following statement by Colonel Oliver Stan ley (made recently while he still teas British Minister for the Colonies) dealt specifically with the situation in the West Indies , it gives an indication of Brtish policy in relation to tropical islands administration generally.
I HAVE been considering the question of constitutional policy in relation to the Colonies of the Caribbean (West Indies) area, considered as a whole.
It will. I think, be generally agreed that under modern conditions it has be come more difficult for very small units,whatever their outward political form may be, to maintain full and complete independence in all aspects of Govern ment. Nor do existing tendencies make it appear any more likely that such in dependence will be easier for these small communities in the future. Indeed, the trend of post-war development, under the stimulus of greatly improved air communications, mav well s * iQ w marked impulse towards a closer political and other association of those smaller territorial units which, through proximity or a common language, have mutual in tcrests I consider it important, therefore, that the more immediate purpose of develop ing self-governing institutions in the in dividual British Caribbean Colonies should keen in view the larger project of their political federation, as being the end to which in the view of the Royal Commission nolicy should be directed.
In spite of the desire which has been expressed in certain quarters for a West Indian federation, it may be that public opinion generally would not be ready to accept a federal constitution, and the British Government would not wish to enforce such a constitution against the wishes of any large section of the com munity. It is their considered view that movements towards such political unity must come from within and not from outside the area.
In view of the greater economy and efficiency in general of large-scale units of government under modern conditions.
I consider that the aim of British policy should be the development of federation in the Caribbean at such time as the balance of opinion in the various Colonies is in favour of a change, and when the development of communications makes it administratively practicable.
The ultimate aim of any federation which may be established would be full internal self-government within the British Commonwealth. But it will no doubt be generally appreciated that financial stability (which is of course very different from economic self sufficiency) is an essential accompani ment of iull self-government, and that the latter cannot be a reality witlmut the former One imnortant responsibility of any federation would, therefore, be to show that federal administration can be carried on without requiring recurrent financial assistance from outside.