THE WEST INDIES: Queen's Representative

• Share

The British islands in the Lesser and Greater Antilles, now nearing the end of an evolution into a federation that will make them the hemisphere's 23rd nation, last week got a Governor General—the first symbol of their unity. In the rambling Legislative Council Chamber in Trinidad, the federation's capital, Britain's Lord Hailes, 56. took his oath of office before Trinidad's Chief Justice.

In the five years before the islands get dominion status (to be followed by independence), the Governor General, a figurehead in many Commonwealth nations, will have real power in the West Indies. A 45-member House of Representatives will be chosen in elections, the first next March 25, and the members will select a Prime Minister. But the 19-member Senate will be appointed by Lord Hailes, and it can hold up the House's legislation. As Queen's representative, the Governor General will have the veto over finance bills.

Although the job thus demands high qualifications, Lord Hailes was apparently chosen mostly for political reasons: as Patrick ("Paddy") Buchan-Hepburn he served 25 years as a Conservative Member of Parliament, seven years as Tory Whip. When Harold Macmillan appointed him last May, the London Times took the unusual step of scolding the Prime Minister in its lead editorial. But this week the new Governor General will start his tenure energetically by beginning a five-week tour of the infant nation's islands.