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‘We were @ bitter end of colonialism with Grant in Aid’ – Hon RT O’Neal OBE

- lauded the late former Chief Minister Willard Wheatley for getting the territory out of the programme
Hon Ralph T. O'Neal OBE speaking at the ceremony yesterday. Photo: VINO
Part of the audience in attendance. Photo: VINO
Part of the audience in attendance. Photo: VINO
Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) was among those in attendance. Photo: VINO
Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) was among those in attendance. Photo: VINO
MAJOR BAY, Tortola, VI – Former Chief Minister and the first Premier of the territory, Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE said it was good that the late Chief Minister Dr Willard Wheatley got the Virgin Islands out of Grant in Aid, as it left the citizens “at the bitter end” of colonialism.

He was speaking yesterday July 19, 2015 at a ceremony to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Dr Willard Wheatley, who has been credited with lifting the territory out of an economic chaos.

Honourable O’Neal explained what it was like in those early days and the scant regard given to the needs of the people of the territory by the colonial rulers.

“We tried our best for the territory and we welcomed the way we were able to get out of Grant in Aid. And I would like to emphasise that because when I was working as acting Treasurer and we were doing the next year’s estimate, someone would come from the colonial office to say what should be done and so on and the administrator at the time put in a provision of $300 to buy a freezer and this fellow comes in and asks what do you want a freezer for?” he related.

According to Honourable O’Neal, the administrator explained that he needed to be able to store meats and so on. But according to Honourable O’Neal the person did not see the necessity for the expenditure and cut it out of the budget.

“Now if he cut out a freezer for his people what you think they would do with us?” he asked.

“When we were in Grant in Aid we were at the bitter end with colonial power because if they didn’t like something they just cut it out,” related Honourable O’Neal. “So we were glad when he was able to bring the Government out of Grand in Aid.”

According to Wikipedia, a grant-in-aid is funds allocated by one level of government to another level of government to be used for specific purposes. Such funds are usually accompanied by requirements and standards set by the governing body for how they are to be spent.

13 Responses to “‘We were @ bitter end of colonialism with Grant in Aid’ – Hon RT O’Neal OBE”

  • ABC (20/07/2015, 09:35) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Ok uncle tell them
  • wize up (20/07/2015, 09:46) Like (51) Dislike (1) Reply
    just a question: our territory can out of grant in aid back in the 70's but by 2011 our territory was forced to sign the protocols for financial management by the same mother country, are we truly move forward as a territory: we had our own head of police, now the UK deals with that: we also had our own head of prison, the UK now running that....just talking what I know!!!!
    • 911 (20/07/2015, 13:24) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
      Under the ndp we going backwards Fast
    • Exactly (20/07/2015, 15:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Wize up You hit the nail on the head who to blame. I just don't understand what these people does be thinking when they speak.
  • gkefkkdakxq (20/07/2015, 11:44) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    Good they honoring dr willard for if we leave it up to the ndp they will have us believe the bvi was created in 2011
  • .......... (20/07/2015, 13:36) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    God bless uncle ralph
  • very well (20/07/2015, 14:32) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nice Uncle. Like some think the BVI was developed in 2011 and 2015.
  • vi (20/07/2015, 14:56) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply

    give it a dam rest people election done since june 8 and the people have spoken NDP in pwer for 4 more years why you always have something to say about NDP.

  • weed (20/07/2015, 15:38) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thanks to the family of Willard
  • Concerned (21/07/2015, 04:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    1971, 1983, 2003 and 2011 all had one thing in common; the Territory was in serious trouble and the Party that got us into that trouble lost the election. Thus allowing other parties to correct the Territory's path and allow us to build this great little Territory. If you know which Party is that? may be you may understand, and stop blaming others!!


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