Árdís - 01.01.1956, Page 14

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ÁRDÍS
gulf. The island supports a population of 620,000 which is amongst
the most cosmopolitan in the world.
Descendants of the negro slaves brought from Africa to work
the island’s plantations now greatly outnumber all other nation-
alities combined. After the abolition of slavery the plantation
owners turned to agricultural labourers from India under the
indenture systems, whereby they were bound to work on the planta-
tion for a period of five years. This system was discontinued in
1917. Now the group comprises one-third of Trinidad’s population.
Whites make up approximately 4% of the total population. The
remainder of the inhabitants are of a very cosmopolitant nature.
Since the war, the United States bases have introduced an American
element into the racial melting pot.
Yet with all this mixture of races, the Trinidadians are tolerant
and peace-loving. Racial or religious strife is virtually unknown.
But there is little social mixing between the colored peoples and
the whites.
Elementary education is given chiefly in state-aided schools of
the different denominations, but there are a number of entirely
secular schools managed by the Government. The Imperial College
of Tropical Agriculture in Trinidad has done much for the Island
in all branches of agriculture, especially in developing a new im-
proved type of cacao tree and a teak-planting project, to insure a
future supply of valuable wood for the Colony. Other projects
carried on by the college have paid dividends all over the Tropics.
Agriculture is a compulsory subject in primary schools.
The negroes have an easy-going attitude, are pleasure-loving,
have a wondeful sense of humor and their loyalty endears them to
their masters. With these attributes they make the best servants
and nannies. They are very musical. They have tremendous
appetites and spend all their earnings on food, clothing and drink.
As one passed through the villages, the native seemed to be always
cooking—the “blackpot” boiling continuously for the next meal.
Negroes, being well built and strong, make the best labourers
and are engaged in mining operations, fishing and numerous other
■occupations. The East Indians, on the other hand, are quite different.
They are more intelligent, but clannish and crafty. They are rather
unscrupulous in business dealings. Having inherited their ancestors’
love for the land, they save most of their earnings and invest in