Typed Letter Signed "F.S. van B. Stafford", to Dr. Eric Dingwall, "Assistant Honorary Keeper of the Printed Books, British Museum, London", about the corrupt practices of merchants in the colony. With related typescript.

One page, folio, fold marks, good condition. She has approached Dingwall as someone who could help make conditions in British Guiana better known in England. She refers to the enclosure of "Resolutions" from public meetings, identifying herself as the wife of a King's Counsel "who has acted as a judge on the Supreme Court Bench of this Colony." They need help to take on the merchants who are standing in the way of improving the standard of living. "The extreme poverty of the working classes of this Colony makes it imperative that steps be taken to bring down the cost of living . . ." She notes that copies of the enclosures have been sent to Dr Edith Summerskill, Quintin Hogg, The Secretary of the Colonial Fabian Society, F.A. Fulford,of the Editorial Staff, The Catholic Herald. Accompanied by15 typewritten pages, folio, comprising Resolutions formed at public meetings: Resolution [I], four pages, refers to '"blackmarket and corrupt" practices of a large section of the Mercantile Community "some of whom are members of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce." She then covers the supply of basic foodstuffs (flour, split peas, salted butter, salt fish, condensed milk) and the effects of corrupt practices on various trades and others, resolving that the "unfair monopoly" should be removed and action taken against the culprits. Resolution [2], 2pp., outlines circumstances forced on the colony by war exigencies, seven years of black marketing and hoarding, etc. resolving that an Officer to support a Committee should be appointed to represent consumers. Resolution [3] making statements which lead to the resolution that an enquiry should be made into the cost of living, that quota restrictions should be removed, or a new quota system put in place, and current quotas investigated. With: seven pages (last one damaged with some loss of text), of copy correspondence including documentation of business being stifled by corruption and an analysis of price rises on essential foodstuffs, clothing and soap between 1938 and 1947, including comments on the black market, etc.