Jamaican Newsletter MR MANLEY PUTS A DAMPER ON THAT CALYPSO FEDERATION
THE CHINA MAIL, THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 1961.
HAVE just arrived in Jamaica's Montego Bay-Butter Bay in Eng
lish-to the sound of laughter and the explosion of fire-crackers. There is dancing in the market place and bonfires on the hillside.
In the harbour les a yacht which dwarfs the sea skifs of Norah Docker and be- Aristotle Onassis. But this yacht ablaze with twinkling lights is German. It longs to a multi-millionaire named Ludwig who is said to be almost as rich as Paul Getty.
"What is all this about?" n stranger might mak
He would learn that it is a holiday to celebrate an event that may never come to pass- the Federation of the British West Indies.
From JEAN CAMPBELL
-MONTEGO BAY-
Federation depends upon the the African continent, needling When they strike up God Save Premier of this island, the 6 the Middle East, guiding Asia Norman Washington and minking a few observations Mamley.
on Red China. Manley has And
Now let us imagine Mr Man- matter of Federation in doubt. tey in Washington.
left
DEMANDS
the
TYE has act up four
The good fairies. far-sighted na always, gave him the name of Washington, but they should change it to Washington DC. Manley to fit his new role,
Sev him looking
HE
the over hurdles the Federation uniterground vaults of Fort Knox and gently diverting a little of the gold towards his island paradise.
horse has somehow to learn to Icap.
First of all, he has demanded equal representation for Jamalza
the
in the Federation Government whleb
that half House will be Jamaican
means
At the momt only 17 of the 45 members are Jamalean.
RINGS?
THE Moderator of the Church of Scotland, the Rey John Burleigh, and
Presbyterian
The Queen all the British and some of the Jamaicans stand to attention in their wet bikinis, arms are at their sides, their eyes lifted, chins outstretched.
Those in the sẹn get off their and backsides and ummies eracefully treed water.
Then the bond strikes up the Star Spangled Banner and all the British and some of the
sit down Jamaleans
or stort splashing about in the sea.
Fortunately, the bondmaster then dismisses the bandomen anci
the whole
company sts down again.
LIONS ALL
SEHERE may ba 300 lions his wife, Mary, are visiting T elephants and
Manley has also demanded that Jamaica should make her own income tax laws and con- trol her own Customs-keeping this island. duties. bguin't other islanda within the Federation when it sults her reenomy.
missions
in
The Moderuter has been Pro- fensor of Ecclesiastical History But the fourth hurdle is the a Edinburgh University for Loughest.
Manley has stipulated that Jamaica must have a referen- dum to decide whether the peo- pie want Or do not want
Federation.
One annol predict the out- come c a referendum in this
franges of islands.
But I should think that these four hurdles are two too many for the old nag to clear.
What does Norman Washing- ton Manley think of the situa- flon? My opinion is that he does not want Federation at all
He would like to are Jamaira as a clominion within the Com- monwealth. The prospect Is Interesting.
Imagine Manley at the UN as the representative of the Domin-
Jon
pamatus holding equal
status with Canada. Australia
over 30 years.
Imagine my amazement to see him wearing a giant amelbyst ring on his index anger.
My Seals eyes were staggered to think thi the Kirk should be taking to these Bishop-like
custums.
John Knox wore rings in his ears but to him rings on the Angers smacked of the Epis copal.
and tigers in Nepal but we have our mighty beasts in Jamaica as well.
First of all there is Ian Fleming at his house, Golden
Eye, where you remember Sir
Anthony Eden rested after Suez.
Mr Fleming. James Bond fans will be thrilled to hear, is creat- ing another chiller-thriller. His wife, Annie, who delights with her wit and wild wisdom, fs coming home to London soon.
Now Frank Sinatra and Sam- my Davis Jr., the Llons of the American microphones, are sing- ing for their supper on the North Shore.
But these lions are nought beside the King and Queen of a the Jungle.
Does this mean that the Pres- byterian Church is making pilgrimage to Canterbury?
ANTHEM
They are Prince and Princess Stanislaus Radziwil, of London.
Lovely, soft-voiced Lee is the sister of Jackie Kennedy, and handsome brown-eyed Stanis- RED-COATED military little John Fitzgerald Kennedy, tous is the only Godfather of ot the the President's son.
main Lee and Jockle are
dovated the sisters
They talk on the tele- phone every day.
London Express Service).
band plays
and New Zealand. See him Doctor's Cave, walking along those vant cor-
rites arm-in-arm with Krishnn bathing Menon, settling the destiny or afternoon.
STADIUM
REROOM
ERICK
2
"He was up there when I got it out
of the storeroom.
Rasma
the
beach,
in
It says north. facing room should have warm colours...."
**No, really--this table will do. One, thanka?"!
FESTIVAL
IN MANILA
BY JOHN LUFF
China Mail Film Critic John Luff was asked to serve as a juror during the 8th Asian Film Festival held last week in Manila. Today he begins a four-part series of articles in which he candidly gives behind-the-scenes reports on various aspects of the Festival
PART I: WE ARRIVE...
Delegates from Hongkong and Taiwan (L-R): Liu En-clúa, Miss Pai Lu-ming, Miss Grace Ting Ning (Hong- kong), Miss Mu Hung (Taiwan), Miss Yi Kwang (Taiwan), Miss Li Hsiang-chumm (Hongkong), Miss Yu Chuan (Taiwan), Mise Li Nolang-ling (Taiwan), "Miss Soo Pung (Hongkong), Miss Wang Lal (Hongkong) and Chang Yang (Hongkong).
·
A
#
THREE weeks ago Father Sheridan and I stood shivering at Kai Tak Airport waiting to board a plane for Manila. In Tokyo the weather was freezing. Mr Hidemi Kon and Mr Kiyohiko Ushiwara, the Japanese Jurors, were wrapped against the cold, longing to board their plane and find warmth and rest.
was
In Kuala Lumpur Mr Che Ikmal Hisham Albakri basking in the heat, while Mr 'T'ana Wee-tlung was seeking shade at Singapore.
Mcanwhile, Mrs Chung Choong-ryan and Mr Oh Yung Jin of Korra were seeking shelter from the biting. wind sweeping across the Seout air port.
and they might have thought I went on. We marked our cards, It was splendid- was a producer or something, one for ourselves and one to ly equipped from But the twilight had turned be handed. to thự necounting an engineering quickly into night, and neither committee of the jury. We went polat of view, of us felt like jumping out of to the dining room for refresh- and although it a swiftly-travelling car
ments. Another film. Luncheon, does not serve a
A
DO
au-
However, there was no mis- again on the premises. A walk very large area, take. Manija was excited about in the street. Three o'clock, nothing has been. the Film Festival so that even Buzzer. Film. Lights on. Mark spared in making the Jury got into the set. cards. Refreshments. Film. t one of the Mr Li Yeh and Li Yuch of
Now, a Jesult is not allowed Lights on again. Mark cards. finest studios Talwan were already In to live away from his order, Cars are waiting. The heat! have seen. Manlia, So was Mr Antonio so Father Sheridan went to Buck to our air conditioned Hardejo of Indonesia, who is felephone that he had arrived, bedrooms. A shower based there; Mr Alfredo Lozano A nearby Jesuit College pro- baths here. Bed. and Mrs Lina Flor Trinidad mised him a bed, and he re- Read the above paragraph live and work in Manila. They turned with a rather sad ex- ten times, and you will know were awaiting our arrival.
pression. Owing to the intonse exactly what we did for ten Al intervals during Wednes- heat in Manila, the priests get days, the routine broken only day, February 22, planes rose up halfway through the night on Saturday nights and Sun- into the air from these various to begin their devotions, anil days, and generally we varied airports, turned their noses to when you are in Manlie, you words Manila, and one by one, do as Manila does. On the other gilded down into the hot haze hand, Father Sheridan was a which covered that town.
Invasion
Father Sheridan and I led the friendly invasion. We were the Brat to arrive.
were passed by the As we
officials, custom
other there was no delay whatever. and we soon emerged into the warm dusk of Manila.
and
member of the Am Jury, and there was no possibility of his
being allotted the customary compensating siesta.
our
restaurants for luncheons. As the pace quickened, www could not afford "even, the time to go to the hatek dining room, and had refreshments served in offices adjoining the screen- ing theatre,
Too weary
The large then- tre has a splendid stage,
and dience comfort is the first thoughi. In size, I would hazard a guess at about something
the measurements of the Metropole Theatre here in
but Hongkong lottler. In design the It follows mistere lines of modernz theatres which eschew thore sound-muffling and crannies. But
LIN DAI-Third time. First Lady of the of the
the eye
i..
A
Asian screen. We first met as a jury at the Philippine Club, a wonderful old house, strongly reminiscent
nooks humana stop pouring out although glutinous melody. of the days when Spanish cul- ture influenced every aspect of De Leon plaved its yacht
The first Sunday, Mr Manuel the theatre Is built 10 Serve
the ear Ext
and
I won't say too much about only. Philippine life.
The dark wooden beans, the early in the morning, for the ed-handsome murals decorate moment because I want to wind our disposal. We started quite insofar as the stage is concern- fasic in culture and art at the stained-glass windows, the afternoon heat of the Philip the walls, and brillant hues up this series with a general
all pines a 100 much As we did to, flashlights went heavy crystal chandellers,
for both mingle with sombre tints to lend comment upon all aspects which
fundamental I consider off and cameras snapped, and spoke of an earlier occupation man, beast-and even mad harmony to the eye. suddenly a troop of charming with cruelty, and elegance with
when arrogant charm walked dog of an Englishman.
And now
current Filipino culture. firis pounced
We vervised in Manila Bay. crack. us and upon
At 5 am on Monday, Febru hung chains of posics around death.
It was Just wonderful. The eyes Our host was Mr Manuel De toe weary even to read. Just
ary 27, I experienced my first Of course, I had often aren Icon, a leading Philippine film to stretch out in comfort, drink
earthquake. I think, however, this done on the Anis, but I tycoon, and one of the many feed beer and cold whisky and
that the nuthorities upon this kind at thing would grant it
Carth
our necks.
thught it was a custom pare ticular to Hawaii. And quite frankly, I felt a bit of a clot. Father Sheridan said he felt like the winning horse at the Dublin Horse Show.
courteous hosts we met.
Isolated
A
comes
my
Arst
Not worthy
to
soda, and munch fried chicken. Thon out of the heat, back to
The stuff sent out over the only the status of
tremor. the hotel, under the shower,
air is not worthy of such sur- A dozen Filipino end a streich out
1. thought someone was shak on the bed roundings. white the air-conditioner fanned Elvis Presleys follow a dozen ing my bed to get me out of In spite of the many weary a çoką breeze into the room.
Filipino Fabians. While we were It As I sat up I saw every. We were escorted to a car duties he had before him in the Sunday evening a few of us there, a soap opera was going thing around me dancing about half-a-mile long by the coming three weeks, he did not were invited to a Spanish bar out. It was one of these things caraband. same charming girls: Mean cavo us until do assured him- just behind the Dewey Boule dike "Mrs Dale's Diary" which The sensation was of what I while a line of people clapped seif of our welfare and com- vard. It wag splendid. A unfold weck after week until termed on objective bilious at- and chanted and a charming fort before we Legan our long three-piece band,
the author, in despair, kills of tack. I mean, when you feel on accordi gentleman assured us the car chore ahead.
lan, a mandoline, and a boss
the hero or heroine, and brings lilous, the zoom veems to be was ours during our stay.
Next morning, we were at a fiddle played Spanish
the affair to a logical conclu- revolving. But here the room music. Our driver turned and beam- preview theatre in the city sec- but played it in a manner that slon. This show concerned a was really moving and 'it mado
educated by a peor me teel olek. el at us. Father Sheridan was on of Munito. Our entrance melted the miles between Mad doctor, sitting silent in anxious thought, was through the Avenue Hotel rio and Manila.
· Bvery week, he or It was ex- mother,
Art-against all the things i when suddenly my heart miss which adjoins a cinema where, hilarating, colourful, full of fee someone is in Jam and he or describe, there were films every od a beat-two beats · to bo 1 nrticed, they were enjoying and rhythm. Oh for such a someone gets either daeper into day. exact. I had remembered that a long run of "World by three-piece band in Hongkong! it or gets out of it, but only to Warner Bros were fuming in Night,'
One Friday at lunch time, get into another, Manila, that the actors were At mine sharp, I pushed; the happening to be eating next. The background muste was supe staying at the game hotel as buster, the door was bareed, dobe to the Manlis Racho Plind by an electric organ, and I was. I whispered my fears and the jury sat in splendid Station, a few of us who were tho grganbyte wasn't with us. - He to Father Sheridan. There was isolation as the first fim, un- interested in this medium of resfeit. Hija, fett, elbow, at the side quite a chance they had mis- folted on tha woteen.. Bigno- entertainment dropped it. on of the organ sud' played: wiili kla Calor him for Barry Fitzgornit, where about #lovoli, the hats itata to hrver a look. foot ~ and right bank the "TOR
TOMORROW:
"Consider Your
Verdict
: