THIS DAY IN OUR PAST

The following events took place on May 16 in the years identified:

1962: A new island record in sugar production by a factory was established by the Frome Division of the West Indies Sugar Company when after 6:00 p.m., the registers showed 90, 000 tons of sugar reaped for the crop so far. The total was the highest average reaped by a factory in the history of the island.

1967: Phillip Sherlock, vice-chancellor of The University of the West Indies, was invested as a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Governor General Sir Clifford Campbell at a ceremony at King’s House. Sir Clifford performed the traditional ceremony, giving Mr Sherlock the traditional tap on both shoulders with a sword. Sherlock rose at a command from the governor general who then affixed the insignia and the Star of a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire on Sherlock.

1967: The House of Representatives approved proposals regarding the creation of the new post of minister of state and the revision of allowances for the Speaker of the House and the pay of president of the senate. During the debate on the motion, Minister of Finance Edward Seaga and Burnett Coke, new People’s National Party member for South Eastern St Elizabeth, criticised the provision for the Speaker as inadequate.

1990: A new basis for better relationships between the Government and the Opposition, through consultation and parliamentary committees, was suggested by Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) spokesman Hugh Shearer. Shearer, in a wide-ranging Budget speech, also called for improvements to the electoral process and the industrial relations machinery, as well as help for “street people”.