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were reluctant to carry the burden of the smaller and the
smaller were fearful of domination by the larger.
(vi) that there was a very general feeling amongst the people .
of the West Indies, particularly those of African descent, that the subsidies paid by His Majesty's Government were but the partial discharge of a debt due to their history of slavery and transportation and that, since this debt could never be wiped out, it was reasonable to expect continuing financial assistance from His Majesty's Government, (vii) that he did not think at present there was any general
desire for local Governors or that local persons should
assume the ceremonial functions of the King's representatives. (viii) that there was a marked difference between the islands
on the colour question. In some, the colour bar did not
exist. In others, its application was very rigid,
(ix) that he agreed that the establishment of federation would
put the various colonial governments in the West Indies
in a much stronger position vis-a-vis the United States
Government in relation to United States bases. The American
press was favourable to the idea of federation.
(x)
that, in his view, the East Indians, who formed large
minorities in British Guiana and Trinidad and who were mostly
descended from the Coolie class, were a potential danger
in the community. At present, the East Indians, who had a
higher percentage of illiteracy than Africans, had a
disproportionate representation. Under federation this would be much reduced and they were, therefore, opposed
to the scheme
(xi) that he considered increased provision for technical
education of paramount importance.
/18.
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