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Jagan continues to stir up antagonism inside the country, and last week his regime was challenged by a paralyzing general strike. The walkout was called to protest labor legislation that would require government-directed union elections in all industries. The powerful Trades Union Council suspected Cheddi of trying to grab control of the unions, insisted on elections regulated by an independent agency.
Sugar mills, bauxite mines, docks, railroads and airports shut down. Store owners covered their windows with strong wire mesh, British tommies went on alert, a British warship stood offshore, and police armed with bayonets patrolled the streets of Georgetown. At week's end Cheddi was desperately trying to negotiate a solution to the strike. It was doubtful whether he could get away for a trip to the U.S., where he was scheduled to appear before a United Nations committee studying British Guiana's case for full independence, and he was forced to send his regrets to the Winnipeg Press Club in Canada, where he was supposed to make a speech. As a substitute, Cheddi wired the Canadians that he would send his wife Janet to do the talking for him.