Telegram from the Governor of Jamaica to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, 2 May 1938. The telegram concerns a disturbance at Tate and Lyle’s Frome estate in Westmoreland, Jamaica, where a new factory was being built. Catalogue ref: CO 137/826/9
Other documents from the same file outline the charges put to the ‘ring leaders’ of the strike and detail police conduct during the disturbance, including the use of gunfire to control the crowd.
- What caused the disturbances at the Tate and Lyle factory?
- How did the authorities deal with the situation?
- What does this source infer about the economic situation in Jamaica?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of telegrams as historical sources?
Transcript
COPY FOR REGISTRATION
Stamp: RECEIVED 3-MAY 1938
Telegram from the Governor of Jamaica to the Secretary of the State for the Colonies.
Dated 2nd May 1938, Received 1.55 a.m. 3rd May 1938.
Immediate.
No. 69.
Regret to inform you that serious labour disturbances occurred at the West Indies Sugar Company’s Tate and Lyle Frome estate Parish of Westmorland where a new factory now being erected. Telegraphic reports from the police indicate as follows:
Slight disturbance occurred at the factory 0730 p.m. Friday during weekly pay. Some windows smashed and pay clerks fired revolvers in the air to frighten the crowd; no casualties. Police inspector found all quiet on visit one hour later. On the Saturday 400 to 500 labourers employed on the new factory struck for higher wages and stopped all workers but all quiet and no disturbance through the week and when 90 extra police were drafted to Westmorland.
Reports received today indicate that crowd of fully 3000 strikers demolished the Company’s office at Old Frome, attacking the staff and police with stones, sticks and iron bars necessitating immediate firing by the police. Two killed, about 11 wounded, 30 arrests made. Crowd then withdrew from the factory. Motor traffic attacked on road near by and cane fields in the vicinity of the factory on fire in several places. Reinforcements urgently demanded and 70 more police despatched this morning. Disturbances appear to be entirely a local one due to trouble on the estate with regard to pay of labourers and dispute as to rates creating ill feeling towards the estate staff. Will cable further developments.