Labour Troubles in Jamaica Prospects of a peaceable settlement of
the labour disputes in Jamaica became less promising on Tuesday, when there was a renewed outbreak of strikes and rioting. Police and troops had to be called out, and some towns, where there was an almost complete general strike, were almost entirely in the control of the workers. The renewed wave of strikes is the more unfortunate because earlier in the week the way seemed open to an equitable settlement and the granting of the workers' main demands. Wage increases which, though still insufficient, amounted to an advance of some 25 per cent. on existing rates, were offered by the companies and the Governor of Jamaica. Mr. Bustamente, the workers' leader, was released from gaol on a writ of Habeas Corpus and most important of all, steps were being taken for the formation of a genuine trade union under Mr. Bust- amente's leadership. As in Trinidad, in Jamaica the funda- mental cause of the labour troubles is the combination of deplorable social conditions with a lack of any adequate machinery through which the workers can continuously press their claims. The growth of a trade union movement would both strengthen the workers' position and improve conditions by exercising continuous pressure on the Colonial Govern- ment ; it should receive, in Jamaica and every Crown Colony, every possible support from the Colonial Office and Colonial Governments.
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