Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698068573377.pdf (Guyana)
541 Meml crs PresentLEGISLATIVE 10UN IL.

Unofficial COUNClt LEGISLATIVE Demerara).

t.rhe Hon.

Dr. .

Jagan ( nti'&l Notices.

542 WEDNESD·A Y.

16TH AUGUST, 1950, Amsterdam).

The Hon.

W. 0.

R. Kendall (New The Hon,�C.

A. M Doom (Nominated).

m., His The Council met at 2 p. Sir Charles M,C., Presi­ the Governor, K.C.M.G., O,B.E., Excellency Woolley, dent, in the Chair'" (Western The Ron.

A.

1'.

Peters Berbice).

The Hon.

W. A. Phang (North Western District) .


PRESENT The President, His Ex eJlency the Sir harles ampbell Woo1ley t.overnor, K..M.G., O.B.E., M.C.

The Hon.

G. H. mellie (Nominat d).

The Hon.

F. E. Morrish (Nomim�ted), The Clerk read prayers.

The Hon.

the olonial Secretary, Mr J.

'utch, O.B.E.

The minutes.

of the meeting of the ouncil held on tbe 11th of August, as a,n<l circulated, ;ver taken as print d read and confirmed.

.Mr.

The Hon.

the Attorn y- ·reneral, Jt.

Vf.

Hold r, K.C.


The Hon.

the Fjnan .ial Secretary .

E. F. McDavid, '.M.

¾., and TrPa irer, Mt· ··"'.B ',.

p /\PF.RS LAID.

The FINANCIA SE RET RY & REASURER laid on th tabJe the - following: Th0 Hon.

V. Wight, C.B.E.1 (Western Essequibo).

Minutes Of the Meeting of Finance Council held on the 27th of July, 19.

0. ommittee of the Legislative The Hon.

Dr. ,T. B. Singh, O.B.E.1 lNTRODUCTI .N OF BILL.

rDF:m rara-Es quibo).

The ATTORNEY RNERA , ga, e ·rhe Hon.

Dr. J.


A. Nj holson (George� tOYV'i1 r orth).

.

T 1e Hon.

T. L e (Essequibo Riv r).

The Hon.

W. J. Raatgev-r, (N :mli• nated).

d).

Th Hon.

V. Roth (Nominat notic of th introdu of a Bill intituled: tion and first reading "An Ordinance to make provision for the Recording and of Persons missing in ircraft r gistered purposes in the olony; and for other therewith".

connected of Births and Deaths UNOFFJ, IA L NOT!


E EMIPRE PREFEREN ES Mr. RAATGEVER g3ve notice of the The Hon.

G. A. C. Farnum, 0.

B. E. (Nominated).

:followjng - motlon: The Hon.

D. P. Debidin (Eastern Demerara).

The H n. J. Fernand s (G orgetown Central).


Whereas it is proposed to hold a General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (generally Meeting in the United Kingdom com­ mendng on the 28th of September, ]950; known as Gatt) And Whereas no benefits have heen received .elimination Preferences for th to compensate of Empire and reduction already co�ceded; Th Hon.

Pt\ G. M. Consalve�.

(East­ em Berbice: 543 Unofficial Notices.16 AUGUST, 1950.
Re lies to Questions 544 And Whereas such Preferences form a vital part of Commonwealth eronomy and economic policy; reduced and (w'orkihg conditions changed?
Be It Resolved at its command any proposal that the Colony of Dritish Guiana desires to impress upon the United Kingdom Government the 1 cssity of resisting with all the resources Io grnnt any further concession in the Corm of changes in existing or binding or reduction Preferences of duties in such a way as to impair the value of existing prevent the creating ences; or to Preferences of new Prefer­ either SELLING PRICE OF G ASOLENE.
Mr. DEBIDIN gave notice of the .follo\ving questions: - l. What are the retail sellin,e; for each of the gallon uf Gasolene years during the war years and sub­ sequently to the present time?

prices per .

2., V✓hat was the total local consum)?tion of G solene for each of the above years and ,th1e source or sources o.t importation?
Be It Further Resolved that unre­ should be made to mitting effort· recover the freedom of action to impose such duties and arrange such Pre­ ferences to safeguard wealth producers markets, for the greatest intra-Commonwealth possible trade.

as may be considered necessary of Common­ in Commonwealth the position and to give full opportunities expansion of of Gasolene inc]u<ling ling?
ORDER OF THE DAY 3.How is the current price per gallon made up giving details first cost, dut anrl h:md­ ATKINSON FIELD CONTROL BOARD.

Dr. JAGAN asked and the COLONlAL SECRETARY laid ov r replles questions:- following to the NOTICE OF QUESTWNS U.S. BASE EMPLOYEES' RATES OF PAY.
Dr. J AGAN gave notice of the follow­ in questions: - J.Will Government state whether any action has been taken with refar.enee to the petHion tabled by me on November 17, 1949, in the Legislative Council on behalf of former Base employees?

'l.

Is Government aware that the U.S. to the provision etc.?
Is it true thctt out minimum hourly rates of s of the Act of 1938, in the case of vs. Connell that Supreme Court ruled Vermilya-Brown the Bermuda Base, and consequently territories Bases in other British· were subject Fair Labour Stand.ards setting pay, overtime, a petition able Colonial ;former Base employees seeking help in procuring from Government's higher the American authorities of back rates of pay, and settlement between the difference pay, allegedly ratss of pay their then prevailing and the rates provided Labour Standards was sent to the Honour­ Secretary for in the Act of 1938?
in 1949 by Q.1-Does any member or members of the Atkinson Board get a special for exnenses Base; if so, how much?

when visiting the Field Control allowance A.-No member of the Board gets to claim the Base.

Mem­ for expensec: allowance allowance at officia!

a special when visiting bers are entitled travelling rates when visiting but in fact they share theit· own transportation The total amount claimed and paid from the Board's funds from 1st August, 1949, to 31st July, 1950, was $15.36.

to the Field.
to the Field.

the Base Q.2-How much was paid in honora­ work done for ria for special the Board; to whom was it paid and what was the amount?

A.-$120 was paid in honoraria for work done for the Board special hereunder:- as detailed (i)Mr. C. A. McWatt, Ac­ 3.Will Government state whether there is a clause in the document s·igned by the American and British on the transfer Guiana Governments of the Base to the B.G.
Government to the effect that all labour and staff would be paid from the Americans rates as at date of the p1·evailing being taken over?

If so, will Gov­ ernment state why rates have been countant, Commodity Control Department, who supervised the setting up office and of the Board's books and) prnperty records .... $50.00.

(ii)Mr. M. G. Harding.

Mr. J. I.Lee-Ting and Mr. E. E.Moe of the Transport and Harbours Depart­ ment Stores who formed 545 Replies to Questfons.

LEGISLA'i'IVE CoU:r.-Tc.::IL.

W.I.


Cricket Victory 546 the Stores ch eking part-y which verified and took o e'l.· inventorie of Engfo\eer and other materials $10.00 $1.00 p r foot.

overnment is not aware how the piping has been disposed of after the auction sale.

(iii)Miss E. E. Ramao and .

.

$10.00 typists and Miss D. Foo each $15.00 and Miss 0.

1• Collins in the Public Service for copying schedules of property etc.
and equipn en t, Q.5-Is Government many villages _ artesian aware that in with an supplied well pure water suppl cheme, the shortag of pip f!

has b en given as an excuse for the lack of connection� water taps said villages?

-Owing to the d'.elay and p:.irts of to various in deli very Q.3--Is it true that the Board em­ If so, will Gov­ ployed a firm of Chartered AcGountants?

ernment state how much was paid to this firm and why were the servkes of the ov­ ernment Audit Department utilised?
not Gra­ The fee with the ap­ A -Yes.

Messrs. Fitzpatrick, ham and Company, Limited, were appointed proval of the1 Secretary of State for the Colonies.

paid for setting accounts of 1949 was $1,179.

the commercia undertaking, desirabl firm of Auditor as was done in the case of the Mahaicony Abary: Rice Development Scheme and the Commodity In view of l nature of the e to appoint a private it was considered up the Board's and auditing in respect.

l ontrol Department.


Q.4--Is it true that an unset price of sold for $275?

$300 was set by the Board on approximately 4,000 feet of 2" and 3" pipes, and that it was actually Is it also true that thi pipe is worth over $1 per foot?

Is Government feet of this pipe was sold for $1,300 to the Berbice Bauxite Company?

aware that 1,000 of par­ After due advertise­ 1 -A reserve price of $300 was set on 3,000 feet of 2" and 3" old and used iron piping which wa in rusted and bad con­ condition.
ment and circulation ticulars to firms and Govern­ ment departments was offered for sale by auct· on conducted· by .the Surveyor of Customs, on behalf of the Board.

There was no bid fo!· he piping at the reserve and on re-consideration was immediately re-offered sale and sold to the highest bidder at $275.
In view of the pom· condition of the pipe it was not considered pricE­ the lot the piping to be worth fol' of Everite Pipe, extensions exis.ting pipe lines, and instal­ lation of new water disttibution systems cannot be carried in some villages wells are in operation.

where artesian out to Q.6-Will Government state whether Beterverwag­ for Plaisance, <tihe ;pip;e requirements I�itty.
tmg, Buxton and other villages supplied with an artesian well pure water supply scheme have been fully met; if not, will Government state whether pipes sold by the Board as stated in question utilised 4 could have been in the various villages?

A -Government in is aware that there are many villages, quite apart from the ones mentioned whose reauire­ the question, ments hav.e not yet been· ful]y met.
The iron pipes sold by the Board could not have been utilised to relieve this situa­ tion; experience has proved that steel and cast iron pipes are unsuitable owing to the corrosive action of treat d _c:;ll'f-es!an _well waters.

Only Evente Pipes are suitable for this work and' these are on order.

BIRTH OF THE ROYAL PRINCESS.

Mr. ROTH: Sir_.


before proceedin g with the Order of the Day I ask your indulgence and permission to suggest that a t legram be sent to the Secretary of State for the Colonies requesting him to convey to Their Royal Highnesses Elizabeth hearty congratulations lhe occasion Princess.

and the Duke bf Edinburgh of the birth of the Royal Princess the of this Council on Mr. RAATGEVER: The hon.

Nomi­ nated 1tember has anticipated have great pleasure .

u agestion.
u agestion.

me but I his in supporting 547 W.I.

ricket Victory.

16 AucusT, 1950.

Rice Marketing Bill.

548 i:foLIDAY FoR W.I.

CRICKET VICTORY.

history team has created I would also like to ask that in view of the fact that the West Indies Cricket land you will be good enough to declare to mark the occasion.

a public holiday is an historic of the Colonies ·and I certainly notice of it.
appropriate histor in 1this part of the Empire, think we should take event in the cricket in Eng­ It further to amend the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Ordinance .'

to A Bill intituled "An Ordinance Trust Ordinance.

the time for the amend the Mitchell 1937, by extending submission of accounts by making provision given in the case of a vacancy occurring among the beneficiaries; ing the benefits payable thereunder.

'· (The Attorney-Gener.al).


by the Trustees; and by increas­ to be for notices Mr LEE: I beg to second the proposal.

A Bill intituled 'An Ordinance i.o allow and confirm certain additional expenditure the thirty-first (The Fnancial in the year ended 194!-)_., and Treas mer).

day of December, Secretary incurred The PRESIDENT: With regard to the I think hon.
Members are sent a telegram fir t question aware that I have already on behalf of the Colony as a whole r"questin conveyed g that our congratulations to Their Majestie ueen and to Their Royal Elizabeth be s the King and Highnesses Princess Edin.

urgh, but I think we may well send one on behalf of this· Council as has been proposed by the hon.

Nominated and the Duke of Member.

I am not so ot 1er questions.


The other question is quite a differen� one which I think ought to be considered No one is more hef'ore being answered.

pl ased than I am over the victory of the Wc.•sL Indies cricket team, but how far us ti fies a public holiday th ·ll j certain SL 1· .

It involves are not easy things to Pub] ic holidays giv .
'Ihere is a substantially large body of daily paid people who are not paid fer pnh1ic holidays h11 ·incss, people, o( the desire expressed h r I nevertheless We \ hi h requfres if the might have had a day of mourning team had been defeated r), but I o.m not at all sure about a public and I am not prepared holiday, 01 the spur of the moment, al­ d -cision tho 1gh I do appreciate J\, ember has said.

thin] it i a matter ome consideration.

.

A public holiday affects commerce and the lives of what the hon.
by the hon.

Mem­ (laughte to make a «nd while I o.m ver appreciative RICE MARKETING (AMENDMENT) BILL.

not 011 The PRESIDENT: The next item on of the de­ Bill.

It has to me by certain Un­ I think their views other Members this debate it the agenda is the resumption bate on th second reading of the Ri.
e (Amendment) Marketing been suggested official Members-and are shared by certain that before we continue would help very much to remove mL, understandings and misconceptions, if I as Gover, ne side but on both sides, nor met in conference the Members 01 • Lhe Council to try to remove those mis, and misunderstandings.
If sucl ceptions a conference were held it could not, o; course, in any way come to any decision affecting this Council, allowed in any way to prejudice bate on the Bill, but if it would help } 1m very anxious that misunderstandm '.

: and misconceptions "Jn both sides in th interest Tlms I am only too happy to accept U1f hich has been made to llH' suggestion in the hope that it will be of som as.

is, tance to Members.


nor could it he the d shouJd be remov2d of th Colon:\' I cannot over-emphasize the impor, on what is to be done ti, import, that \ 'C' tnnce of this matter.
It is vitally ant, and it is equally important should arrive at a large common mei-1snrc• of agreement develop the rice industry Tlhat is a virtually although to eye, and never shall on all points b able to see eye to eye, we should 11ever­ th eless do everything come to the greate t ommoin measure of of this Colony_ issue, and w cannot on alJ points see eyv we possibly important can to BILLS -FIRST READING.
Th following Bills were th n read the first time:- A Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the Tax • Ordinance, further ] 939."

A Bill intituled "An • Ordinance Rgreement.

549 Rice Marketing LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

(Amdt.)

Bill.
(Amdt.)

Bill.

550 that I propose until Members of and invite this afternoon common measure of after the adjourn­ and as a countr:: If there is ever to be such a thing as if capi­ a Rice Development Corporation; tal is to come into this country-and there i not a single Member of this Council who cloes not acknowledge very readily the then it is important r eed for capital- that we should as a Council come to the greatest agre ment on it.
It is no good expecting that we can develop ·here is a very sharp division divided among ourselves, too anxious to do anything I possibly -and I am sure that Members of th:': Council to do every­ thing they possibly and we are and I am only tomon-ow a few minutes measure of agreement than apparently fore in those circumstances to adjourn the Council 2 o'clock Council, ment this afternoon, to meet me to sec what we can do in this matter to reach ,, far greater among ourselves sent, owing very largely, misunderstandings which I will not say exist on one side only.
Therefore, as I say, to present, then a substantially all for the� good of the rice industry British Guiana.

Council will now adjourn until 2 p.m. tomorrow.

if we can do anything, if not a united front solid one, it would be and reatest this very important common measure.of agreement are equally anxious our rice industry matter.

It is there- can - to reach the ii can on exists at pr - I believe, to and misconceptions