The death knell of King Sugar

THE EDITOR: I shall deem it an honour if you can insert this article “Death knell of King Sugar” in your esteemed paper. The history of the West Indies is virtually the history of sugar. It was the success story for thousands of years; it was virtuously the “King” supported by the Negro slave trade. With emancipation most of the slaves moved out, leaving the industry in a precarious position. The hunt for cheap labour began. The door for immigration was opened up; the Chinese came, then the Portuguese and finally the Indians. By the beginning of the nineteenth century “King Sugar” lost its power; it was no longer a paying concern. In Trinidad Tate and Lyle a British firm sold out.

Dr Eric Williams, the historian Prime Minister made it the island’s industry as it was the root of culture for both the Negroes and the Indians whose fore-fathers toiled there; knowing fully well it will be a drain on the Treasury. As a member of the Lome Convention, Trinidad got a preferential quota which helped, but by 2006 it ends. The present regime has closed down Caroni (1975) Ltd, sent home nine thousand workers - a new Sugar company is formed.  One wonders if nothing could have been done to save Caroni (1975) Ltd. The steel industry was losing millions a month and since ISPATT a steel industry took it it has become a success. Not all government industries are supposed to make profit. Agricultural pursuits and animal husbandry are heavily subsidised in advanced countries as England, France, Belgium and Germany. Let us for now say farewell and give “King Sugar” a decent burial.

SAMUEL DOODNATH
Penal