Following the discussions and disputes about automation and mechanis— ation in Jamaica (See Week Vol 2 No. 18), the National T.U.C. of Trinidad and Toba;jo too has been discussing the related issues of mechanisation, aut omation and jobs in view of the serious unemployment problen (14%) in the country. Dr. Williams, the Prime Minister, sought the solution in discussions with Shell, British Petroleum and Tate and Lyle when he was in London. The Governnent is seeking to solve these economic problems by borrowing 230m. (West Indian) for development. Already more than half of this has been raised on the U.S. market, but Trade Unionists are demanding the end of.a system of acquiring public loans only from Western countries. James Lynch, of the N.U.G.E., said, "If Russia has money and we want it, what else ean we do but take it?", and George Weekes, Pro-Tem chairman of the T.U.C., stated that Trinidad can get money borrowed from "sources other that the U.S., including the U.S.S.R., but fear makes then fo to the United States." Meanwhile the political monthly, the Circle, has come out in favour of trade with Cuba.
There has already been considerable discussion on this point, and now the Liberal Party opposition in Trinidad is demanding to know if the Trinidad delegate at Cairo made contact with Dr. Derticos, the Cuban President. The Party refers to a quote in the Fleet St. Newsletter saying that the delegate, Sir Ellis Clarke, arrived early so as to discuss "Dr. Williams! plan for a Caribbean Economic Community based initially on Trinidad, Puerto Rico the Netherlands Antilles and Cuba."