GOVERNS A LARGE AREA: DESCRIPTION OF ISLANDS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21224, 21 September 1940, Page 11

GOVERNS A LARGE AREA: DESCRIPTION OF ISLANDS

T H E APPOINTMENT of the Duke of Windsor to one of the lesser governorships under patronage of the Crown (the Bahama Islands) involves no loss of prestige for the former King of England, for this seemingly insignificant post has become one of the most important in the Empire, in the shadow of present-day British events and eventualities, says the Christian Science Monitor. This is secifically true in the case of the Duke of Windsor who, for a generation at least, has been Britain’s Number One liaison figure. As the Prince of Wales during the First World War and after, Edward won the popular affection of many Americans. The Duke of Windsor is a “good mixer,” perhaps the best that England ever had and the friendliness of the United States must be kept in a fluid and fluent condition. Furthermore, the appointment of the Duke of Windsor as a Colonial Governor, marks the beginning of a £70,000,000 British colonial development and welfare programme, decided upon just before the outbreak of the present war. The reciprocal feeling between America and England is furthered by the near proximity of the Bahamas. It is just a ferry trip overnight. Twice a day a plane flies between Miami and Nassau, making the trip in a couple of hours. An Enormous Area The Duke of Windsor governs an enormous area, for the Bahamas comprise 3000 islands, islets and bays, stretching out for some 700 miles along the Florida shore. Spanish owners by discovery made no use of the islands. Ponce de Leon began the romantic tradition of the Bahamas that the Windsors are continuing, by twice traversing them in search of the Fountain of Youth, just after his discovery of Florida. Some 170 years elapsed before a settlement was made by Europeans. Another Englishman, Captain Sayles, in 1667, sought shelter in a beautiful harbour of one of the larger islands. He called the island, Providence, for it afforded him shelter in his hour of need. In time, this became the harbour of Nassau, the present capital of the archipelago and the seat of the Royal Governor. The name of the island was later changed to New Provi-

dence, to distinguish it from the New England Colony city. Spain resented this invasion of territory that she bad not thought worth occupying. She descended on New Providence and slew every inhabitant. During the following 50 years, the Bahamas served only as a hideout for pirates and buccaneers. They began by assaulting the Spanish galleons loaded with gold and silver filched from the American aborigines. The treasure ships came directly from the Spanish Main and Panama, and, like modern shipping, had to pass somewhere among the hundreds of Bahamas Islands. Not Known Actual Warfare While the Bahamas have not known actual warfare, they have more than once benefited by the incidents of strife. American Loyalists fled from the Southern Colonies when the Declaration of Independence was made. They brought with them their retinues of slaves and together may be said to represent the ancestry of a considerable proportion of the inhabitants, thus making American cousins in a left-handed sort of way. From the sea, the low island of Nassau, whose surface never rises much over a hundred feet, looks like a green strip of seaweed floating in a deep blue sea, outlined by a lacy collar of foam where an angry surf is always breaking. The undergrowth along the shore seems a trifle scrubby after other tropical seascapes, probably owing to the thin coat of soil covering the windswept backbone of the island. There is nothing to remind the new Governor of the hills rising high above the Riviera and the stony coasts of Spain and Portugal where they have sojourned so long. Wild pecans, century plants, dusty flame trees with brown pods hanging almost within reach, and dwarf green bay trees border the roadway on the drive into the town. Gimcrack villas of black natives with tanks on the roofs to catch the precious rain water, were decorated with bunting to welcome the Duke and Duchess. Doubtless the presence of a Royal couple at Government House in Nassau will add to the attractions of that winter resort. It will certainly be a boon to tourist traffic. It may bring many noted visitors and bind new ties that may add to the prestige of Britain. It may turn an unfavourable trade balance into an asset for the first time in decades. But what will all this mean to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor?

In point of honour, it is a very minor job in the British Empire, usually offered to an older public figure who has won retirement to bask his remaining days as a figurehead in the tropical sun. Naming the Duke of Windsor as ‘"Commander in Chief”—as well as Governor—signifies that he is Commander in Chief of local defence. As Governor, the Duke controls less than 50 ’inhabited and some 2950 uninhabited islands. The customary governor’s yearly salary is £2500. He will be assisted by an Executive Council of nine and a Representative Assembly of 29. The real job seems to be that in which all countries are now engaged—trying to balance the budget, and only piling up a deficit. In 1938, imports exceeded £1,000,000 and exports were around £175,000, Government revenues were £528,278; expenditures £540,274. In this war year of 1940, the figures are not expected to be anything like so mildly unfavourable. Reminders of Earlier Days When he is not working on the Budget, how will the Duke and Duchess fare for entertainment and amusement to which they have been for so long accustomed? During the winter, there no doubt will be given some splendid routs at Government House. And during the season, Paradise Beach on Hog Island is no less gay than the Lido used to be. There is shooting and fishing all over the islands and inlets. Occasionally, perhaps, one may find the Duke and Duchess strolling about quaint Nassau, pausing to rest beneath the broad shade of the great silk-cotton tree where the buccaneers are said to have bartered, and a hundred Negroes will rise and bow to them. They too may climb Queen’s Staircase of a hundred steps and visit Fort Fincastle carved out of solid rock. They may linger at the Telephone Exchange locating the exact spot where the old Slave Auction Block used to stand, when it was called Vendue House. They will surely vist the Sponge Market, whence comes the island’s principal income and the sisal market where the coloured mammies are offering a hundred articles of dyed fibre. Just a short walk for another look into the Sea Gardens perhaps and then finally they may drop into the old prison that is now the Public Library. It all seems trivial somehow from some people’s point of view. But not if the Duke of Windsor intends to play the part of Britain’s Goodwill Envoy to the Western Hemishere! The Times of London remarks, “The West Indies as a whole may well receive the news ol the appointment of the Duke of Windsor as full of welcome significance at a time when events in Europe and the friendly interest of their great neighbour in the north, have demonstrated their high importance in the international reckoning.”