Crown Colony Government

Structure: Crown Colonial Office – Secretary of Colonial Affairs Governor (appointed by Crown) Legislative Council (nominated)

The powers of the governor remained the same as under the ORS. The council performed a dual function. In the transaction of administrative affairs it was an advisory body to the governor. In law making sessions it was a true legislative council.

This form of government allowed the Crown more extensive powers and therefore more freedom to maneuver. The meant that the CCG could function more efficiently and without recourse to local interests even in emergency situations. The direct participation of the Crown in the process of government In the W.I. was considered essential to hold the balance between continuing the white oligarchic power structure and the presumed democratic ineptitude, ignorance and inexperience of the blacks. In colonial office theory West Indians were gradually being groomed for self-government and the training was a necessary part of preparation.

The impact of CCG: The constitutional defect of the ORS, namely, that it failed to provide a clear source of power for law making was settled. Under CCG the executive could by-pass legislative opposition; power was clearly at the center.

The CCG perpetuated colonial subordination to imperial power since existing representation was removed.

The CCG facilitated executive dismissal of legislative opposition. In this regard the governor tended to appoint men from the dominant groups, hence the council was clearly undemocratic.

The government was essentially concerned with law, order and bureaucratic efficiency. Welfare legislation was not given serious consideration, neither the possibility of the creation of a democracy.

Through the adoption of the CCG the imperial power took control of constitutional change and development. The slowness with which it moved forced educated natives to seek constitutional reform through their own initiatives.

Under the CCG a modern form of bureaucracy was introduced - rational procedures were implemented, rules and regulations were applied in an orderly manner and recruitment to the colonial civil service was by merit. The elitist nature of the colonial political system, it remoteness, lack of concern for and unresponsiveness to the needs of the majority of people has left a legacy of suspicion of and alienation from government

This combination of factors led to the disturbances in the 1930s throughout the W.I.

References: The Growth of the Modern West Indies - G. Lewis The Making of the West Indies – F. Augier et al.