THIS DAY IN OUR PAST

The following events took place on November 21 in the years identified:

1945:Jamaica Private flying in comes to the foreground when a twoengined Cessna, five-passenger plane arrives at the Palisadoes Airport, piloted by Alexander Lilly and accompanied by Vic Jensen, flight mechanic. The plane, arriving from Barranquilla, is owned by the Siple Aircraft Co Ltd of Canada, a company that handles surplus RCAF planes. The plane, US-made but adapted for pilot training and especially the training of instrument flying, is made of plywood and fabric, similar to the famous Mosquito. While the RCAF paid $50 apiece for them, they are now available to civilians at the price of $4,500, and are said to be exceedingly economical on gas.

1966:Zambia President of Kenneth Kaunda says, “It is inconceivable that millions in South Africa, with South West Africa, in Mozambique and Angola as well as the so-called Portuguese Guinea, will subordinate their interests and destiny in the service of tiny minorities.” Kaunda is addressing a special joint sitting of the Jamaican Parliament. He continues: “I submit that, in time, and, perhaps, much earlier than is expected, the undercurrent of irritation and the anger of the masses will build to more dangerous proportions and blow to pieces the power exercised over them against their will.”

1967:Prime Minister Hugh Shearer announces to the House of Representatives that the Jamaican pound is devalued in keeping with the devaluation of sterling and the new parity of US$2.40 fixed by order signed by the minister of finance and planning. Shearer states that the Cabinet, having weighed all the advantages of various alternative courses of action, concludes that the course which will present the island with the greatest advantage is devaluation.