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ANTIGUA

NTIGUA lies in the northern group of the Leeward Islands chain in the East Caribbean, longitude 61° 8′ W., latitude 17° 1' N. It is approximately 40 miles north of Guadeloupe. The territory consists of the islands of Antigua and its dependencies Barbuda and Redonda, the last named being an uninhabited rocky islet about half a square mile in area.

The area of Antigua is 108 square miles and the dependency of Barbuda 62 square miles. Barbuda lies 25 miles to the north, Redonda 25 miles to the south-west of the main island.

The western part of the island of Antigua is composed entirely of volcanic rocks (highest point Boggy Peak, 1,330 feet). The eastern and northern parts are of limestone, less than 500 feet above sea level, and a central plain stretches diagonally across the island.

The absence of high hills and forest distinguishes Antigua from the rest of the Leeward group. There are no rivers and few springs in the islands, so they are frequently subject to droughts, although the mean annual rainfall is between 43 and 45 inches. The climate is drier than that of most of the West Indies and is delightful from the end of November to the beginning of May, when the northeast trade winds begin to fail. The hot season then sets in, during which the weather is generally rainy. The shade temperature seldom exceeds 90°F. Barbuda is very flat, with a large lagoon on the west side.

The population at the 1960 census was 54,304. St John's, the capital, then had a population of about 21,600.

There are 37 Government elementary (primary and post-primary) schools and nine private schools, with a total enrolment of 17,004 pupils. The nine secondary schools-four grant-aided, three Government and two private-have a total enrolment of 3,034 pupils. A Teachers' Training College accommodates 30 resident women teachers and 20 resident men teachers. There are about 240 students studying abroad. The Public Library in St John's has a book stock of 40,890 volumes. Library services have recently been established in the rural areas.

There is one hospital with 180 beds, three health centres and 16 dispensaries which are staffed by the District Medical Officers. In 1964 the hospital treated some 3,650 patients.

Coolidge Airfield was constructed by the American Army Air Force as a military airfield in 1942. The airport has been extensively reconstructed in recent years and direct jet services with Britain, Canada and the United States have been established. The airport is used mainly by Pan American Airways, British West Indian Airways, Leeward Islands Air Transport, Air Canada, Caribair, Air France and B.O.A.C. with services to other West Indian Islands and to Britain, Canada, and the United States of America. There are 68 miles of main roads and 90 miles of secondary roads.

The main crops and products are sugar and cotton. In 1966 the principal exports were: Cotton $WI 293,476 (215,767 lbs.); molasses $WI 46,603 ((329,280 gals.). Total exports and re-exports for 1966 were valued at $WI 2,369,710 and imports at $WI 43,913,958.

The chief imports are food, apparel, cotton piece-goods, timber and nonedible oils.

The main forms of taxation are income tax, trade tariffs and excise duties. The rates of individual income tax range from 24 cents to 65 cents per $ of chargeable income. Company tax is 40 per cent of chargeable income.

Provision has been made for double taxation relief with the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and the U.S.A., and consideration is being given to extending the arrangements to other countries. Public Finance figures are as follows:

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Antigua was discovered by Christopher Columbus in the year 1493 on his second voyage to the West Indies. He named it after a church, Santa Maria de la Antigua, in Seville. The Spaniards attempted to settle in the island in 1520 but they found it too dry. The French under d'Esnambuc made an abortive attempt at settlement in 1629, but abandoned it in favour of the richer soil of St Kitts. Antigua was eventually colonised in the year 1632 by Sir Thomas Warner. In the early years the settlers suffered much from raids by the Caribs. At that time the chief crop was tobacco but in the second half of the seventeenth century it was found that sugar was more profitable. This required heavy labour. At first, the defeated armies in the English Civil War were sent to work on the plantations in the West Indies, but when these were found to give indifferent results in the tropical climate the trade in slaves from Africa began and it was at its height throughout the eighteenth century. The operation of sugar estates became extremely profitable and the wars between the English and French were much concerned with the possession of the sugar islands. Antigua was the only British island to possess a good harbour and English Harbour was the dockyard for the British West Indies throughout the period. Though on one occasion the French made a successful landing on Antigua, the island never passed out of British hands and shows no trace of French influence.

Antigua emancipated its slaves in 1834, four years before the general emancipation in British territories. This led at first to some difficulty in obtaining labour for the sugar estates. A disastrous fire in 1841, an earthquake which destroyed the Cathedral in St John's in 1843, and a hurricane which did £100,000 damage in 1847 were serious economic blows. There have since been several periods of relative prosperity and depression according to the price of sugar.

The Naval Dockyard at English Harbour was closed in 1854, and re-opened in November 1961 as a restored historic monument and yachting centre. In 1968 a deep-water harbour was opened.

CONSTITUTION

Following decisions taken at a conference in London in February and March 1966, subsequently endorsed by a resolution of the Legislative Council, provision was made in the West Indies Act 1967 under which Antigua assumed a status of association with the United Kingdom on 27th February 1967. The association

is a free and voluntary one, terminable by either country at any time. Antigua is fully self-governing in all its internal affairs. The United Kingdom is responsible for defence and external affairs. Agreement has been reached on close consultation over the discharge of these responsibilities and on the delegation of executive authority in a wide field of external relations. The British Government conduct their affairs with Antigua and the rest of the West Indies Associated States through the British Government Representative, whose headquarters are at Castries, St Lucia.

Under the Constitution the Governor is Her Majesty's Representative. Except where otherwise provided the Governor is required to act in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet or a Minister acting under the general authority of the Cabinet.

The Cabinet is collectively responsible to Parliament for the government of Antigua. The Cabinet consists of the Premier, and other Ministers and the Attorney-General whether or not he is a Minister. The Governor appoints as Premier the member of the House of Representatives who appears to him best able to command a majority in that House. The other Ministers are appointed on the advice of the Premier; at least one of them must be a Senator. There is provision for the appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries from either House. Parliament consists of Her Majesty, a Senate and a House of Representatives. The ten Senators are appointed, seven in accordance with the advice of the Premier and three after consultation with the Premier. From among its members who are not Ministers or Parliamentary Secretaries the Senate elects a President. The House of Representatives consists of the Speaker, Members elected under universal adult suffrage in not less than ten single-member constituencies, of whom one may be the Speaker, and, so long as the office of Attorney-General remains an office in the public service, the Attorney-General. Traditionally the House of Representatives includes the Speaker and ten elected Members of the former Legislative Council, and the Attorney-General; and now includes four additional Members.

Parliament may make laws for the peace, order and good government of Antigua. The Constitution contains safeguards for fundamental rights and freedoms. Special provisions relate to a Bill to alter the Constitution or the law establishing the West Indies Associated States Supreme Court or the law relating to appeals to the Privy Council.

A Puisne Judge of the West Indies Associated States Supreme Court, (q.v.), established by Order in Council, is resident in Antigua.

The appointment, dismissal and disciplinary control of public officers is, with certain exceptions, vested in the Public Service and Police Service Commissions. Disciplinary cases may be reviewed at the request of the officer concerned under regulations to be made by the Governor.

LAND POLICY

Land may not be alienated or leased to aliens without the consent of the Government. Except in a few cases, alien occupation of land is confined to leases for not more than 99 years. There is a small amount of Crown land which, when not used for public purposes, may be leased or sold.

GOVERNOR

His Excellency Sir Wilfred E. Jacobs, OBE, QC

CABINET

Premier and Minister of Finance: The Hon. Vere Cornwall Bird

Minister of Home Affairs: Hon. Lionel Hurst

Minister of Trade and Production: Hon. Edmund H. Lake
Minister of Social Services: Hon. Ernest E. Williams

Minister of Public Works and Communications: Hon. Bradley Carrott
Attorney-General: Hon. Hermann Besson

Minister without Portfolio (Leader of Government Business in the Senate):
Senator the Hon. Joseph Myers

Cabinet Secretary: H. A. Murdoch

External Affairs Secretary: E. G. K. Challenger
Financial Secretary: W. D. Cribbs

Regional Director of Civil Aviation: Basil Fleming
BRITISH GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE
C. S. Roberts

(resident in Castries, St Lucia)

BRUNEI

HE State of Brunei is situated on the north-west coast of Borneo and lies between latitudes 4° 2′ and 5° 3' North and longitudes 114° 4′ and 115° 22′ It has an area of 2,226 square miles, and has a coast line of approximately one hundred miles. The country consists of two separate enclaves, each surrounded on the landward side by Sarawak. There is a narrow coastal plain intersected by several rivers descending from the hilly hinterland.

The climate is tropical and is characterised by a uniform temperature throughout the year, a high humidity and heavy rainfall, varying from 100 inches a year at the coast to over 200 inches in certain parts of the interior. In 1968 the estimated population was 130,000, consisting in the main of Malays (52 per cent), other indigenous peoples (15 per cent) and Chinese (28 per cent). The principal towns are Brunei Town, the capital (estimated population 19,000), Seria and Kuala Belait. Brunei Town and Kuala Belait are the two ports.

Brunei's income is derived almost entirely from royalties on the sale of crude oil from Shell's Seria oilfields, which produced 5,130,000 tons in 1967. Other exports include natural gas, rubber and timber. The favourable trade balance in 1966 was M$ 68,986,124, in 1967 B$ 103,581,498 and in 1968 B$ 59,904,242*. (provisional). The main crops are rice, rubber and sago.

Brunei is a Sultanate and the present Ruler, the twenty-ninth of his line, succeeded to the throne on 4th October 1967 following the abdication of his father. On 29th September 1959 a new constitution was promulgated, providing for a Privy Council, an Executive Council and a Legislative Council. A Mentri Besar (Chief Minister) appointed by the Sultan is responsible to him for the exercise of executive authority.

On 26th August 1964 the Legislative Council approved proposals by the Government of Brunei for constitutional advance including the election of members of the Legislative Council and the introduction of a Ministerial system.

After discussions between the Sultan and the Commonwealth Secretary in London in 1964, fresh elections were held in March 1965, as a result of which *B$ 7.3469= £1

a new legislature was formed comprising six ex officio, five nominated and ten elected members. The Executive Council was replaced by a Council of Ministers comprising (under the Presidency of the Sultan) the High Commissioner, six ex officio members and four Assistant Ministers. After further discussions in London in May 1965, the appointments of four Assistant Ministers were announced, two of whom were drawn from among the elected members of Legislative Council and two from the nominated members of that body.

Relations with Britain. In 1847 the Sultan entered into a Treaty with Britain for the furtherance of commercial relations and for the suppression of piracy. By a further Treaty in 1888 Brunei was placed under British protection, and the Sultan agreed that the foreign relations of the State should be conducted by Her Majesty's Government. In 1905 a supplementary agreement was entered into whereby the Sultan undertook to accept a British officer, to be styled a Resident, who should be the agent and representative of the British Government under the High Commissioner for the Malay States. The Governor of Sarawak was High Commissioner for Brunei from 1948 until 1959.

On 29th September 1959 a new Agreement was concluded between Her Majesty The Queen and His Highness the Sultan replacing the 1905-06 Agreement, under which the British Government continues to be responsible for defence and external affairs of the State. The Agreement provided for the appointment of a High Commissioner, styled as 'Her Majesty's High Commissioner in the State of Brunei', to advise the Sultan on these matters.

HEAD OF STATE

Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, DK, PSPNB, PSNB, PSLJ, SPMB, PANB, CMG, DK

(Kelantan)

PRIVY COUNCIL

President: His Highness the Sultan

Members:

H.E. the High Commissioner: A. R. Adair, cvo, MBE
Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan

Sir Muda 'Omar 'Ali Saifuddin Sa'adul Khairi Waddin, KCMG
Yang Teramat Mulia Seri Paduka Duli Pengiran Bendahara

Seri Maharaja Permai Suara Muda Haji Hashim ibni Al-Marhum Duli Pengiran
Bendahara Anak 'Abdul-Rahman, DK, SPMB, DSNB, POAS

DK, SPMB, DSNB, POAS, OBE

Yang Teramat Mulia Seri Paduka Duli Pengiran Pemancha Sahibul Rae' Walmashuarah
Muda Haji Mohamed 'Alam ibni Al-Marhum Duli Pengiran Bendahara Anak Abdul-Rahman,
Yang Teramat Mulia Seri Paduka Duli Pengiran Temenggong Sahibul Bahar Muda Mohamed
Bolkiah ibni Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Muda Sir Omar Ali
Saifuddin Sa'adul Khairi Waddin, DK
Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Setia Negara Pengiran Haji Mohd. Yusuf bin Pengiran Haji
Abdul Rahim, DK, SPMB, DSNB, POAS, Acting Metri Besar

Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Mahkota Pengiran Muda Kemaluddin ibni Al-Marhum
Duli Pengiran Bendahara Anak Haji Mohd. Yassin, SPMB, DSLJ, POAS, PHBS,

Acting Religious Adviser

Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Maharaja Anakda Pengiran Ahmad ibni Al-Marhum Duli
Pengiran Bendahara Anak Haji Mohd. Yassin, DPMB

Pehin Orang Kaya Shahbandar Dato Setia Awang Haji Ahmad bin Daud, DSNB, POAS, MBE
Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Paduka Tuan Sahibol Karib Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar ibni
Al-Marhum Duli Pengiran Pemancha Anak Mohd. Salleh, DSNB, POAS
Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar bin Pengiran 'Umar,
DSNB, POAS, MBE

Pehin Jawatan Dalam Dato Setia Awang Haji Mohamed Noor bin Pehin Orang Kaya
Laksamana Awang Haji 'Abdul Razak, DSNB, POAS

Pehin Orang Kaya Di-Raja Dato Seri Laila Jasa (Dr) Awang Haji Mohd. Jamil Al-Sufri bin Begawan Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Setia Awang Haji 'Umah, DSLJ, DPMB, POAS

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