45

MINUTES OF MEETING OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HELD AT THE COUNCIL
 CHAMBER, ON THURSDAY THE 5TH APRIL, 1951 AT 10 A.M.

 PRESENT
His Honour W. F. COUTTS; M.B.E., Administrator, President,
The Honourable P. CECIL LEWIS, Crown Attorney,
 S" V. D. ARCHER, Colonial Treasurer,
 W. A. H-ADLEY, 'Nominated Member,
 E. A. C. HUGHES, Nominated Member,
 S" G. A. MCINTosH, Member for Kingstown,
 E. DUNCAN, Member for North Windward,
 S. G. DEFREITAS, Member for the Grenadines,
 S.-F. BONADIE, MIember for South Windward.

 ABSENT
The Honourable O. D. BRISBANE, Nominated Member (On sick leave),
 E. A. JOACHIM, Member for Leeward.

 1. PRAYERS.
 The meeting was opened with prayer.

 2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES.
 The Minutes of the meeting held on 5th October, 1950, were taken as read and
were confirmed.

 3. ANNOUNCEMENTS.
 President: Honourable Members of Council, I wish this morning before we
proceed on the business of the meeting to make observations on one or two
matters. The first observation I wish to make is on the general political situation.
Members are invited to give the matter serious consideration for a very large
number of people seem to take delight in spreading rumours. I will urge on
Members and the general public to consider the situation as being very serious.
There is reason for us to take a firm grip on our own affairs and it is for us to
decide how the matter is to be dealt with. I propose to lay the matter before
Executive Council, and to issue a statement on the whole situation which I will
now read to Members of Council. The statement has not yet received the approval
of the Executive Council, but I trust it will do so.

EMPLOYMENT SITUATION.
 The Government'of St. Vincent has for some time been concerned about the
rising cost of living owing to the increased cost of imported articles due largely to
the stock piling for rearmament in both the United Kingdom and the United
States of America.
 It is fully understood by the Government that this rise in cost of living is
bearing hardly on every member of the community. In addition to this, the