Jones

In the Sunday Gleaner two weeks ago, one of the regular columnists opened his article by describing Norman Manley as " ... the leading Jamaican architect of constitutional advancement". Manley's brilliant contribution to this country's development needs no such gilded contrivance nor exaggerated embellishment.

He was indeed one of those who urged constitutional changes. However, to say that he was the principal proponent not only distorts the truth but tends to discount the historic efforts of other leaders, including J.A.G. Smith and Alexander Bustamante.

Jamaica's march towards an Independence Constitution began with the model fathered by J.A.G. Smith, who had been demanding it from as far back as 1921. Even before that, in 1919, the Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) for Kingston, H.A.L. Simpson, was calling for constitutional changes. At that time Manley was in England finalising his law studies. The Smith Constitution, as it came to be known, was accepted in 1943 and in the following year elections were held, for the first time under universal adult suffrage. Here again, Manley is often mistakenly credited for introducing adult suffrage.

A vote for every Jamaican over the age of 21 is some-thing for which the same Smith was largely responsible. The historical fact is that in December 1938 he, as MLC for Clarendon, moved a motion for it, declaring, "It cannot be denied that the use of the franchise by those who possess the vote is of great value ... he uses the vote to see that his conditions are bettered. That is, to my mind, the real use of the vote ..." The motion was seconded by Reverend Maxwell of Trelawny and passed without a dissenting voice.

It is worthy of note that the subject of adult suffrage had come up before the Royal Commission in 1937. It was supported then by Smith's Elected Members Association, Manley and Bustamante.

Manley had suggested an education test to qualify for the vote, but afterwards agreed that such might not be necessary. In the Legislative Council, Smith proposed the minimum age without educational qualification.

constitutional change

During his first term in Parliament Bustamante began calling for further constitutional change. He described the 1943 Constitution as inadequate and told the House: "England should rule us no more. This is a matter above politics and parties. It is a matter of our freedom." Then in 1948 the Colonial Office began considering a new Constitution for Jamaica; and major changes were formally proposed in March 1949 by Frank Pixley, following on submissions by an independent member, Roy Lindo of St Mary. Manley was not then a member of the House.

Both political parties kept agitating for further constitutional changes and in 1952, Norman Manley, now a member of the House, proposed a motion declaring Jamaica in favour of internal self-government. This was unanimously accepted. The change took place in 1953 when internal self-government was granted on an interim basis.

According to Gleaner History:

"A broadening of the Constitution was put into effect. The number of Ministries was increased to nine, giving the popular side of the Government a Cabinet for the first time, with ministers responsible for their portfolios and with the elected leader becoming Chief Minister. Mr Alexander Bustamante was the first Chief Minister."

internal self-government

A committee made up of Donald Sangster, Bustamante, Manley, Edwin Allen, Rose Leon, Ivan Lloyd and N.N. Nethersole was set up to draft a constitution for full internal self-government. This materialised in November, 1957. I quote again from Gleaner History:

"In 1957 on November 11, Jamaica received full Internal Self-government ... a complete change of the political structure that had existed for almost three centuries ... The Chief Minister then became known as Premier."

Manley was the first and only Premier, but to be accurate, the work that preceded his appointment must not be ignored. Further important constitutional changes with a Cabinet, patterned on the English parliamentary system, were proclaimed in July 1959, by which time Jamaica had joined the Federation of the West Indies and Manley's attention had turned to federal rather than Jamaican Independence. Meanwhile, Bustamante, who had all along wanted self-government for Jamaica but disagreed with Manley on the timing, made his moves toward Independence.

In 1959, the JLP called for a referendum to determine whether Jamaica should remain in the Federation or seek Independence on its own. This was rejected by Premier Manley, who later changed his mind and agreed to hold the referendum. In 1961 D.C.

Independence

Tavares pushed for an early date for the referendum, moving that the government should "prepare all necessary instruments relative to independence for Jamaica so that if the people of Jamaica vote in the Referendum against Jamaica's continuation in the West Indies Federation Jamaica will be prepared to proceed to Independence and Nationhood on her own within the British Commonwealth of Nations at the earliest opportunity." This was rejected on the grounds that the referendum should take place after a conference in London and not before.

Ultimately, the referendum was held under a Referendum Federation Law that had been passed in 1960. It was during that campaign that Manley said Jamaica would have difficulty going it alone and that he was looking forward to "the glorious day ... when the federated West Indies become a new nation - we will be a better people with better hope."

Bustamante at the same time was citing his own speech at the 1947 Closer Association Conference at which Federation was proposed by the British government. He had said, "The time has come not just for federation but for self-government, for I have never seen ... anyone who has been sent from abroad who knows anything more about the science of government than we do."

general election

The result of the referendum and the general election that followed are well known. The main provisions of the Jamaica Constitution were drafted by a 17-member bipartisan committee. It was taken to England by Manley and Bustamante, who jointly signed. Yet, there are those who, perhaps unwittingly, continue to withhold honour where it is due; and in so doing they distort our history and confuse the people.

Bustamante and Manley have recorded their triumphs and their human errors. It is undeniable that both of them sincerely loved this country, worked hard for its development and deserve due respect and recognition. This business of twisting their work to make a trap for fools; crowning one and downing the other, is partly responsible for driving our people into separate and hostile camps. Truth, justice and the welfare of the nation demand that we put a brake on this divisive practice.

Ken Jones is a veteran journalist and author.

Bustamante

Manley

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