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Trinidad Guardian Reporting 1981 March 31
USED WITH PERMISSION
By KIT RXOfl" RG
MAN '.1 T HOT
SEAT during. th most
turbulent year of the
People's National
Movement's 25;year
rule, 1970,' wis the
man destined to
become the nation's
second Prime
Minister.
George Michael
Chambers was
appointed Minister of
State in the Ministry
of National Security
in 1970. Later the
same year, as the
country fought to
return to normalcy
after massive and
prolonged street
demonstrations, an
army mutiny and gen-
eral unrest even
within the PNM
itself, Mr. Chambers
was appointed
Minister of National
Security.
Prime Minister
Chamber's selection by the
President of the Republic
after consultation with
PNM Chairman Francis
Prevatt and Deputy
Political Leaders Rep. Errol
Mahabir and Rep.
Kamaluddin Mohammed
was not unexectted in a
New PNtokm
things stride
situation such as the
sudden death of former
Prime Minister Dr. Eric
Williams.
This was so not only
because Mr. Chambers was
himself one of the three
Deputy Political Leaders
and an experienced man in
the arena.
But the new Prime
Minister, in a long career
under Dr. Williams, did not
escape his rough tunes. In
1973 he was relieved from,
the position of Minister of'
Finance and put as a re-
placement for Rep. Carlton
Gomes. Colleagues state
that he was deeply hurt,
although the shift m port-
folio was only interpreted
by some people as a position
of less importance.
But Mr. Chafnbers is not
the kind of man, even his
political foes would admit,
to go crying on anyone's
shoulder. He takes things in
stride, say his associates.
He maintains a low profile
and is noted for his calm.
SometitWowever, as the
Chambe Commerce felt
lagt yeacan be tough.
p--tirter Chambers'
was October 4, 1928
He ate the Nelson
Street s' R.C. School,
theftf ke's College,
follow more secondary
educa'at Osmond high
Schoc
priAinister Chambers
conti his education on
his and soon after
formschooling Locally
coated a
coradence course in
Ge Educatios from
w H, Engladl.
.C amDers entered
Sand fougt the St
jeal in 19, with the
j maiority of the
.'e n *:,1 was elected
se6 at ise next Gen-
:lections in 1S71. He
represents that
( Stuency.
was made Parlia-
ary Secretary in the
stry afFinance in 1966,
acted as Minister on
several occaagin between
1967 and 1969.
After the elections of
1971, Mr. Chambers was
appointed Minister of
Finance, Plannin and
Development, a posth held
until 1973.
He became Minister of
Agriculture Land and
Fisheries in addition to
Minister of Industry an4
Commerce subsequent to
the 1976 polls.
Yesterday he was swsl
in as Prime Minister =~'
therefore Corporation S~1'
It is expected that he wil.
hand over some of hi pm'i f
folios in a short time.
The Prime MiniMsi w
married to the foar mn
JulianaJacobs in 195& bfl2
couple have one child, a
university student Mnw L
Wales.
He lives at Santa
Margarita Road, St.
Augustine and he likw rad-.
ing, listening to operatic
tenors and sea bathl,- ..
--~-
(gattua ian
Trinidad Guardian Reporting 1981 March 31
USED WITH PERMISSION
New PM takes things in stride
By KIT ROXBURGH
MAN IN THE HOT SEAT during the most turbulent year of the People's National
Movement's 25-year rule, 1970, was the man destined to become the nation's second
Prime Minister.
George Michael Chambers was appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of
National Security in 1970. Later the same year, as the country fought to return to
normalcy after massive and prolonged street demonstrations, an army mutiny and
general unrest even within the PNM itself, Mr. Chambers was appointed Minister of
National Security.
Prime Minister Chamber's selection by the President of the Republic after
consultation with PNM Chairman Francis Prevatt and Deputy Political Leaders Rep. Errol
Mahabir and Rep. Kamaluddin Mohammed was not expected in a situation such as the
sudden death of former Prime Minister Dr. Eric Williams.
This was so not only because Mr. Chambers was himself one of the three Deputy
Political Leaders and an experienced man in the arena.
But the new Prime Minister, in a long career under Dr. Williams, did not escape his
rough times. In 1973 he was relieved from the position of Minister of Finance and put as
a replacement for Rep. Carlton Gomes. Colleagues state that he was deeply hurt,
although the shift in portfolio was only interpreted by some people as a position of less
importance.
But Mr. Chambers is not the kind of man, even his political foes would admit, to go
crying on anyone's shoulder. He takes things in stride, say his associates.
He maintains a low profile and is noted for his calm. Sometimes, however, as the
Chamber of Commerce felt last year, can be tough.
Prime Minister Chambers was born October 4, 1928. He attended the Nelson Street
(illegible) R.C. School, the (illegible) College, followed by more secondary education at
Osmond High School.
(gattua ian
Trinidad Guardian Reporting 1981 March 31
USED WITH PERMISSION
Prime Minister Chambers continued his education on his (illegible) and soon after
form schooling locally completed a correspondence course in General Education from
Wol(illegible) Hall, England.
Mr. Chambers entered politics and fought the St. (illegible) in 1966, with the
(illegible) majority of the (illegible) was elected (illegible) at the next General Elections in
1971. He still represents that constituency.
He was made Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Finance in 1966, and acted
as Minister on several occasions between 1967 and 1969.
After the elections of 1971, Mr. Clambers was appointed Minister of Finance,
Planning and Development, a post he held until 1973. He became Minister of
Agriculture, Land and Fisheries in addition to Minister of Industry and Commerce
subsequent by the 1976 polls.
Yesterday be was sworn in as Prime Minister and therefore Corporation Sole. It is
expected that he will hand over some of his portfolios in a short time.
The Prime Minister was married to Juliana Jacobs in 1956. The couple have one
child, a university student now in Wales.
He lives at Santa Margarita Road, St. Augustine and he likes reading, listening to
operatic tenors and sea bathing.
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