JAMAICA DISORDERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 June 1938, Page 7

JAMAICA DISORDERS

SITUATION IN CAPITAL NORMAL SOME CLASHES WITH RIOTERS IN PARISHES. SUCCESS OF REORGANISATION SCHEME. (British Official Wireless.) (Recd This Day, 10.20 a.m.) RUGBY, June 7. The officer administering the Government of Jamaica has telegraphed the Secretary for the Colonies that the situation in Kingston is normal. As regards the parishes, there has been considerable disturbance, but this has not been as widespread or as serious as was anticipated. The trouble mainly centred in the north-western area of the island, particularly Saint James, Hanover and Trelawny. where mobile patrols of police, local forces and special constables have been in frequent engagements with disorderly crowds, which have been successfully dispersed. On occasion it was imperative to resort to police firing. The total casualties reported in this area are one killed and two wounded; also one constable wounded. Approximately seventy-five arrests were made, including some ringleaders. In Saint Anne, serious disturbances were on foot, but were effectively prevented by the police and military without casualties.

In Saint Catherine, serious outbreaks occurred, necessitating the police firing, and it is reported that there were seven wounded and that several arrests were made. Despite the utmost concessions in wages on the Frome Estate, the possibility of further strikes is reported.

The central and eastern parishes are quiet and the banana traffic has been maintained.

The reorganisation scheme has been very successful and the land settlement programme has been well received throughout the island.