THIS DAY IN OUR PAST

The following events took place on May 19 in the years identified:

1975:to With its objectives

enquire into and report on the conduct and practices of private developers of land and housing schemes, the Duffus Commission appointed by the Government has its first public sitting at Headquarters House, Duke Street. The sole commissioner, Herbert Duffus, former chief justice of Jamaica and presently chairman of the Gun Court Review Board, is appointed by the governor general “to enquire into and report on the conduct and practices of private developers of land and housing schemes and to determine what factors have given rise to, or likely to give rise to, complaints of suffering and hardships by persons who have entered into contracts with such developers for the purpose of plots of land or homes”. 1975:Edward

Seaga, opposition leader, issues the following statement: “Jamaica mourns the sudden passing of one of its truly outstanding artists, Karl Parboosingh. Parboosingh was an artist with courage, flair and imagination, who recorded on canvas what could be termed the story of his life; a life full of variety and colour. An unassuming man with charm and a timely sense of humour, he endeared himself to many and was able to carve for Jamaica a place in the international world of art which made him well known and respected in many countries.” 1985:deputy Hugh Shearer,

prime minister, criticises business people, traders and professionals for increasing their prices and fees “beyond justification” and with “shameful regularity” in many cases. The elder statesman of the labour movement tells the National Labour Day Service that, on the other hand, organised labour has exercised restraint and bears the hardships of adjustments in the national interest. Shearer’s comments are made as he brings greetings to the service at the Church of the Firstborn, Waltham Park Road. The service, organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission in the Office of the Prime Minister, has as its theme ‘Working to Build’.

– The Gleaner Archives