SVG Talk

Last week I commented on the National Heroes issue and suggested that of four nominees, the name Milton Cato should be eliminated. And I gave my reasons. I was accused by one person of indulging in Labour hate – “Labour hate is becoming more and more evident.” My article was a simple reaction to having the name Milton Cato as a national hero, based on my assessment of what a national hero symbolises. Nothing more. I was asked to indicate his positives. I assumed that whoever nominated him for inclusion as a national hero would have done that.

What I did was to point out some negatives about Mr Cato. If his positives outweigh these then so be it. If I misrepresented him, then say so and let us begin a conversation about it. I must say, however, that those years which involved the rise of the Black Power Movement were difficult ones indeed, but the banning of books and the efforts to stop fellow West Indians from entering this country were dark times indeed. I well remember the country’s reaction to the Public Order and Safety Bill, that brought thousands on to the streets. In fact, I was one of the persons selected along with Oscar Allen and others whose names I do not remember, to meet with government representatives upstairs what is now the now Post Office building, in the Cabinet room or Conference room. Hudson Soso, one of the Labour Party’s bigwigs, was critical of his government for treating Gonsalves, now Prime Minister, as a security risk. The digging up of the yard and searching of the home of Renwick Rose was a big thing. They found what they considered prohibited literature. Do we still classify some literature as being prohibited? Really my intention was to have a conversation on the matter, but to describe my effort as “Labour hate.” Well, that is a horse of a different colour.

Due diligence

David Ames, former chairman of Harlequin Property SVG, who fled this country by boat in 2016, owing outstanding amounts to workers, government and utility companies, has been found guilty of fraud and now awaits sentencing in the UK. I raise this here to remind us that we must always be on guard and do proper “due diligence” procedures to put a stop to those who come in with criminal intent. Some years ago, I was sitting in the dining room of a hotel in Belize. The only other persons, about six, sat at one table chatting away. I gathered, for they seemed oblivious to my presence, that they were all investors and potential investors scouring the Caribbean for opportunities to invest. What they were saying was not very complimentary although no names of places or persons were mentioned. They were actually comparing notes. I said to myself, “what a bunch of crooks!”. My presence really did not matter to them. I heard as much as I could take and then left. Ames of course, is not the only example of potential investors who came to these shores and were hailed for bringing in the investment goodies that we are seeking; only to find out later that the country was conned. There have been too many of these. We must put a stop to this!

Erroneous record

A few weeks ago, alarm bells were being rung when we were told through media reports that in our continuing efforts to put a dent to the spread of the Covid-19 virus, that health workers were to receive boosters of an approved vaccine at 5-months intervals. The uproar led to statements from the authorities that what went to the public was an “erroneous record of the cabinet minutes; (really) “mis-transcribed notes from the Cabinet.” How this happened is still anyone’s guess, and it appears that no one will be penalised for this!

Was it aspirational

Finally, the PM made another appeal to teachers dismissed over the vaccine mandate to reapply for their jobs. He said it was not a trick. But was it aspirational, the Union should have asked!

Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian