Let Us Be British—Isle in Sun
As written in the London Daily Express
In these days when black is beautiful and all that was British is not, it is refreshing to encounter the efforts of the people of the Bahamian Island of Abaco to retain their loyalty to the crown.
Yesterday American lawyer Edwin Marger arrived in London to fight the rearguard action on behalf of the 6,200 inhabitants—less than half are white—of the island to remain a Colony.
It has been solidly British for 200 years from the time when loyalists populated its colorful and fertile acres during the time of American Independence.
Now short, plump, mild-mannered Mr. Marger has been sent here to represent the island that refuses to join up with the declaration of independence due for the Bahamas on July 10 under their first coloured Prime Minister, Lynden Pindling.
"Their idea of freedom is to remain loyally under the British flag as a Crown Colony," says Mr. Marger. "That is how they have always been and that is how they want to stay."
"They are quite capable of looking after themselves."
His most important call has been on Q. C. Ronald Bell, Tory M. P. for South Buckinghamshire.
The result of their talk is that Mr. Bell will propose an amendment when the Bahamas Independence Bill comes before the House of Commons—that Abaco stays out as a Crown Colony.
"If the people want to stay British I don’t see why they should not be allowed to do so." Mr. Bell tells me. "Their case deserves a good deal of sympathy."
