05-23-2014.Pdf
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Year 56 NO. 51BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, W.I. FRIDAY, MAY 23rd 2014 EC$2.00 At The Pumps This Weekend Maximum Price ULG per gallon - Dated : 22/04/14 DELTA $16.68 / SOL $15.77 IMF Says the LABOUR’s 82nd Anniversary National Economic Conference a Resounding Success Recovery in Party all set for an unprecedented 5th term in Government. St. Kittsand Nevis has Gathered Momentum (Page 22) St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister the Right Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas (right), Acting Premier of Nevis, the Hon. Mark Brantley A eection of the massive crowd of Labour supporters in attendance at last Sunday’s National (left) with IMF Mission Chief Ms. Judith Gold (center) and St. Kitts Conference at the Marriott Resort, Frigate Bay. (See editorial on page 2) and Nevis Financial Secretary, Mrs. Hilary Hazel (partly hidden). Energy, Utilities and Public Works, PM Douglas Re-elected Labour Party as Deputy Political Leader. Minister of Health, Gender Affairs, Community and Social Leader for 26th Consecutive Year Development, the Hon. Marcella Liburd was re-elected un-opposed BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, as Party Chairperson. (CUOPM) - St. Kitts and Nevis’ The National Vice Chairman is Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Dr. the Hon. Nigel Carty, Minister of Denzil L. Douglas has been re- Education, Information and elected National Political Leader of Agriculture. the governing St. Kitts-Nevis National Secretary- Mrs. Diana Labour Party for the 26th Williams-Humphrey; National consecutive year. Assistant Secretary- Ms. Karen Dr. Douglas, who was first Crossman and the National elected in 1989, was re-elected un- Treasurer, Mr. Patrice Ward, were opposed at the 82nd Anniversary all re-elected un-opposed. Conference on Sunday, another The other members of the expression of full confidence in his Government that he has been Delegates also accepted the Hon. Earl Asim Martin, Deputy leadership of the Party and the leading for the past 19 years. nomination unopposed of Dr. the Prime Minister and Minister of (cont’d on page 9) COMMENTARY BY PAGE 03 * TRADE UNION NEWS * THE THINKING CITZEN * CANON PERCIVAL * SO TELL * EARL CLARKE 2 - OPINION / LOCAL NEWS - The Labour Spokesman FRIDAY, MAY 23RD 2014 THE SPOKESMAN - ESTABLISHED MAY 1957 Published by: The St. Kitts-Nevis Trades & Labour Union Ag. Managing Editor: Dawud Byron Masses House, Church Street P.O Box 239 . Basseterre . St. Kitts . West Indies Tel: (1 869) 465-2229 <> Fa: (1 869) 466-9866 Email: [email protected] Website: www.labourspokesman.com Editorial LABOUR IS STRONGER, BETTER, READY! The St Kitts Nevis Labour Party Conference 2014 was a resounding success. On the eighty-second (82nd) anniversary of the founding of the Labour Movement, the St Kitts Nevis Labour Party held its Annual Conference. That was on Sunday, 18th May 2014, at the Marriott Hotel, Frigate Bay. All things considered, it was a truly fitting tribute to our forebears and Labour’s 82 years of outstanding service to the people of our beloved nation. Official Delegates of the party, fraternal organisations, the Diplomatic Corps, Business and Community organisations attended the public session of the conference which was held in the first part of the day, the morning and early afternoon. The private session was held during the later afternoon and early evening. It was conservatively estimated that over twelve hundred (1,200) persons attended throughout the day. This exceeded last year’s Government for their hard work and untiring efforts which and in most glowing terms, and thanked him for his attendance of one thousand (1,000) which, up to that point, had been have helped to bring about the outstanding levels of leadership over the years, especially during the most the highest by far in over a decade. development achieved over the past nineteen (19) years recent and troubling ones. While reminding us of Once again the mood of Conference was positive, lively, and business- of Labour’s tenure. These include areas such as our many accomplishments in times past, as well like throughout the entire proceedings. The sizeable group of young education, health, housing, manufacturing, tourism, as the present, they issued stern warnings for us persons in attendance was highly significant. Yet again they were most construction, new infrastructure and improvement of the to avoid becoming complacent and run the risk of effusive in their expressions of gratitude and in praise for their Party, the old, financial services, local and international trade, throwing it all away. In our view such warnings National Political Leader, and all those in positions of leadership transportation, agriculture, fisheries, the reduction and were sanguine and most timely. throughout the party. containment of crime, business development and the The Party’s National Leader, Comrade Dr The As was the case last year they showed that are able and ready, and attraction of very substantial amounts of new Rt Hon Denzil Llewellyn Douglas, as always, was that they will add their youthful zeal to the Party’s momentum and investments, to name only some. both erudite and inspiring. He thanked his fellow preparation for what lies ahead. Recognising that the period from 2008 to the present party leaders, as well as his cabinet colleagues in The large contingents of women, young labourites, other party has been a most difficult one globally, financially, government, for their loyalty and the support which stalwarts, Trades and Labour Union members, in addition to the economically and otherwise, Conference was particularly they have given him at all times. He reflected on his delegations from the National Executive and the various constituencies, high in praise of our Party Leader and his team of Cabinet assumption of leadership in May of 1989 and the participated with great enthusiasm and a deep sense of purpose Ministers for having been able to keep our nation solvent commitment which he gave to move our party and throughout. and in good standing within the international community, our nation, always forward and always for our Mr. Poesy Southwell, son of National Hero Sir Paul Southwell, was while simultaneously moving us forward and upward in betterment. He called on us to cast our minds back once again honoured to address Conference. He brought greetings from the face of such daunting and most trying to where we were in 1995 and compare that with North America. Sunday 18 May was the thirty-fifth (35th) anniversary of circumstances. where we are today. his father’s passing, and he fittingly paid tribute to the service of his Conference also gave due recognition to the fact He called on us all to see this year’s conference father, who was always true to Labour. Poesy reminded Conference of that the Leader and his team could not have realised as a critical signpost in the mobilisation process of another anniversary, 10 June 1967, when it was planned to murder Sir such outstanding achievements on their own, and was the rank and file of our movement for the serious Robert and his father, amongst others. He described the traitors as being therefore equally profuse, and sincerely grateful, in battle ahead. Pointing out that we have come too willfully blind to the harmful effects of their actions upon our nation. thanking for their services, members of the civil service, far to turn back, he re-emphasised that our nation The Honourable Mr. Asot Michael brought fraternal greetings from those employed in para-statal organisations (such as seeds strong and experienced leadership to the Antigua Labour Party, a relationship to goes back to the founding of crown corporations), the police and fire services, and continue moving us forward and upward to the our two great organisations. He implored our comrades to remain faithful the defence force. next levels of progress and development. Our to Labour and cautioned against throwing away all the gains which we Comrades Dr. Terrance Drew, Dr. Vance Gilbert, Dr. country needs reliable, credible and honest leaders have made over the years. Mr. Michael exhorted us all to stand firmly Norgen Wilson, and Konris Maynard, Labour’s for the next five years, a leadership which can be with our great Leader and his wonderful team, and to make ourselves “Springtime” candidates, all re-assured Conference of trusted and respected by our people and all well- ready and fully prepared for the challenges which lie ahead. their readiness to fight and deliver for Labour whenever wishers. The National Executive submitted its report for the year just past, the time comes for new general elections. Their addresses Conference also voted to formally expel Mr. Sam and the representatives of the constituency branches also reported were electrifying and inspirational, and served to raise Condor and Dr Timothy Harris from the party and likewise. All reports were well received and a number of very important the spirits of delegates to even higher levels. to deem them traitors of our cause. They thus join resolutions were tabled and adopted. Their selection is a clear indication that Labour is a Mr. G A Dwyer Astaphan who, until now, was the In particular the National Leader was thanked and highly commended movement committed to working hard for our people only person ever to have been expelled from the for his outstanding service, leadership and dedication to the party and during the present, while at the same time preparing for party for over eighty (80) years of our existence. the country over the past twenty-five years. He was also highly lauded the future, always observing proper and democratic Unlike him they have an additional “distinction”. for his steadfast determination to try to resolve the differences between procedures. That brings to a formal conclusion one of the the peoples of St Kitts and Nevis and his perpetual efforts to bring Our Deputy National Leader, Comrade Dr Earle Asim darkest and ugliest episodes in the history of the about improvements in the human relationship across the narrows.