The Governor is responsible for defence and external affairs but is required to consult Ministers through the Security Council on matters which might involve the political, economic or financial interests of the territory. The British Government has delegated to the Government of the Bahamas authority to negotiate and conclude trade agreements with other countries or the United States of purely local concern, or relating to technical assistance or emigration. During 1970 the Progressive Liberal Party split and eight of its supporters created a new party and were recognised by the Governor as the Opposition in place of the United Bahamian Party. The dissidents and the United Bahamian Party later merged to become the Free National Movement. The PLP has announced its intention of seeking Independence after the next General Election which must be held before the 3rd June 1973. The FNM has said that it will not seek Independence at this time. Under the Representation of the Peoples Act, 1969, all persons over the age of 18 years, of Bahamian status and not subject to the usual disqualifications are entitled to apply for registration as voters. LAND POLICY The Status of Aliens Act (Cap. 237) empowers an alien to acquire and hold property within the Commonwealth of the Bahama Islands. GOVERNMENT Prime Minister: The Hon. Lynden O. Pindling, MP Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs: The Hon. Arthur D. Hanna. MP Minister of Works: The Hon. Livingston N. Coakley, MP SENATE President: The Hon. L. J. Knowles, CBE Vice-President: The Hon. Milo B. Butler, JR and 14 other nominated members HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY Speaker: The Hon. A. R. Braynen, MP Deputy Speaker: The Hon. Arlington Butler, MP and 36 other elected members CIVIL ESTABLISHMENT Governor and Commander-in-Chief: Sir John Warburton Paul, CGMG, OBE, MC A.D.C.: Col. J. Chapman, CVO, OBE. Secretary to the Cabinet: R. E. Bain Chairman, Public Service Commissioner: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of External Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agricul- Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Development: Mrs J. Bethel Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism Director of Public Personnel: H. W. Darville Director of Lands and Surveys: R. E. A. Director of Education: Lewis Morgan Director of Statistics: J. E. Tertullien Chief Meteorologist: J. R. Clarkson, OBE OBE Law Officers: Attorney-General: G. D. M. Collett, Qc Chief Medical Officer: Dr G. David (Acting) Chief Out-Island Commissioner: V. A. Port Director: L. Flowers (acting) Postmaster: C. Saunders Director of Works: C. Cooper Controller of Road Traffic: R. V. E. Wood Comptroller of Customs: C. Hepburn Parliamentary Registrar: E. W. Davie Chief Industrial Officer: M. E. Johnston JUDICIARY Justices of the Court of Appeal: Sir Paget Bourke: Sir Clyde Archer; Sir Michael Hogan CMG, QC Puisne Judge: J. A. Smith, CBE, TD READING LIST BRUCE, P. H. Bahamian Interlude. Reprinted from the Memories of Bruce, 1782. London, Culmer, 1949. CARTWRIGHT, W. W. Pocket Guide to Nassau, Nassau, 1951. CRATON, M. A. A. History of the Bahamas. London, Collins, 1962. DOWSON, W. A. Mission to the West India Islands: Dawson's Journal for FARQUHARSON, J. A. Relic of Slavery: Farquharson's Journal for 1831-32. HANNAU, H. W. Nassau in the Bahamas. Munich, W. Andermann Verlag, MALCOLM, Harcourt. Historical Documents relating to the Bahama MANWARING, G. E. Woodes Rogers, Privateer and Governor. Nassau, OLDMIXON, J. History of the Isle of Providence. First published in The PEGGS, A. Deans. A Short History of the Bahamas. Nassau, 1959. RICHARDSON, J. Henry. Review of Bahamian Economic Conditions and THOMPSON, T. A. Short Geography of the Bahamas. Nassau, 1944. WAKEFIELD, A. J. Report on Agricultural Development in the Bahamas. Bahamas Handbook and Businessmen's Annual, edited by S. P. Dupuch Bahama Islands Report, Government Information Services, 1966-67. T BERMUDA HE Bermudas or Somers Islands derived their names from the Spanish seaman Juan Bermudez, who sighted the group before 1515, but no settlement was made until 1609, when Sir George Somers, who was shipwrecked on his way to Virginia, colonised the islands. Bermuda is situated in the Western Atlantic Ocean about 570 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, 32° 18' N. latitude, 64° 46′ W. longitude. Until 1940 it had an area of 19.34 square miles. As a result of work done by the United States authorities since 1940 to unite and extend some of the islands with materials dredged from the sea, their total area is now 20.59 square miles, of which 2.30 square miles are leased to the Government of the United States for naval and military bases, leaving 18-29 square miles available to the civil population. The United States bases include a large airfield which is used by both military and commercial traffic. The Bermudas consist of about 150 islands and islets, roughly in the form of a fishhook, along the southern rim of the oval plateau summit, about 22 miles from east to west and 14 miles from north to south, of a steep submarine volcanic mountain which is reputed to be between 14,000 and 15,000 feet in height. The ten principal islands are connected by bridges and form a chain about 22 miles long between its north-east and south-west extremities. These islands vary in width but the main island, which is about 14 miles long, has an average width of about one mile; it contains about 9,000 acres of land, the highest point being only 259.4 feet above the sea. All the other islands and the areas reclaimed for the United States Bases aggregate about 4,240 acres. There are no rivers or lakes. The City of Hamilton, the capital since 1815, with a population estimated at about 2,500, is situated on the main island. The town of St George on the island of St George was formerly the capital. Its population is estimated at about 2,000. The climate is generally mild and humid with a mean annual temperature of 70°F and average annual maximum and minimum temperatures of 90°F and 47°F respectively. The coldest and hottest months are February and August. The average annual rainfall is 58.1 inches. Bermuda's last census was held in 1970. While the statistics resulting from the census have not yet been fully tabulated, the resident civil population is estimated at 52,251 persons. The official language is English. During 1971, 1,138 births were recorded, representing a birth rate of 21.78 per 1,000. The death rate in 1971 was 8.38 in 1,000. The Department of Health and Welfare is responsible for providing medical services and facilities. These include baby and pre-school clinics, and medical and dental services for school children. There are four hospitals: King Edward VII Memorial (general hospital) (230 beds); St Brendan's (mental hospital) (240 beds); Prospect and Lefroy House (geriatric hospitals). At the end of 1971, the total number of persons employed, excluding U.S. citizens at the American bases, was 27,200. The principal occupations were: production and related workers, 6,900; service workers, 6,500; clerical and related workers, 4,700; professional and technical workers, 3,600; sales workers, 2,500; labourers, 1,100; administrative and managerial workers, 1,000; farmers and agricultural workers, 600. There are nine registered trade unions: Bermuda Industrial Union (4,435); Bermuda Employers' Council (134); Bermuda Public Service Association (502) Bermuda Federation of Musicians and Variety Artists (318); Amalgamated Bermuda Union of Teachers (247); Union of Government Industrial Employees (114); Hotel Employers of Bermuda (28); Construction Association of Bermuda (16); Bermuda Cable and Wireless Staff Association (70). The area of arable land, always small, is diminishing, owing to encroachment by building development. Of 760 acres now remaining, some 300 acres are utilised for vegetable crops, 231 acres for fruit and 25 for flowers. The climate permits double cropping for most vegetables and four crops a year for beans. The value of the 1971 vegetable crop was $846,850. Bananas valued at $223,410 and citrus fruits valued at $115,200 were produced. Cut flowers and lily bulbs valued at $12,866 were exported. Dairy farming is the most important branch of agriculture. The quantity and value of produce was: eggs 1,312,500 dozen, $1,246,875; milk 483,562 gallons, $599,617; poultry 98,500 lbs, $23,640; pork 168,600 lbs, $40,474; beef and veal 180,000 lbs, $45,000. A major undertaking of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries since 1949 has been re-afforestation. Work started as a result of losing 80 per cent of the native cedar trees through a severe infestation of the juniper scale. Clearance of the dead areas and planting of the cleared areas began in 1952. Research is being conducted at the Government Aquarium into the development potential of deep sea fishing. The rocky sea bed makes trawling impracticable and most fish are caught by pots, hand-lines and seines. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries continues to pay grants equivalent to the customs duties payable on essential equipment to professional fishermen, who submitted information on daily landings, operating expenses and fishing efforts. The approximate weight of fish caught in 1971 is estimated at 1,500,000 lbs and 440,000 lbs of spiny lobsters valued in aggregate at $1,940,000. Commercial fishing boats are available for hire. The principa game-fish are marlin, tuna, dolphin, wahoo, bonito, amberjack and barracuda. Exports The value of trade during 1971 was as follows: Local Exports Total Exports (*Excluding imports into Ireland Island Freeport). Although the visible balance of trade continued adverse, there was substantial and fully compensating revenue in 1971 from invisible items, including the tourist business; repairs to shipping sustaining damage on the neighbouring Q* seas; accommodation, goods and services supplied to the United States bases in Bermuda; considerable investments at generally low rates of interest of United Kingdom capital in Bermudian enterprises; the continued establishment in large numbers in Bermuda of international companies which, in addition to paying a Government fee of $480 each per annum, involved substantial legal, banking and accountants' fees and other expenses locally. The operation of the Ireland Island Freeport also earned revenue for the colony from rent, services, etc., so that the overall balance of trade was favourable. A breakdown of the more important items of imports and exports is given below: |