opportunity to use the land to benefit all of Bermuda. It is the last chance we will have for expansion until we resort, as we surely will, to extensive landfill. Therefore it is vital to all Bermudians that we get the development of those lands right.

We fully recognise the need to develop the land to strengthen the economy both in terms of tourism and light industry. However that is not the only consideration.

This newspaper has advocated many times that some of the land should be set aside now for use in 50 years time. In other words, some of this precious land should be reserved for future Bermudians. By all means use it now as recreational open space, but understand that it is designated for the future.

We have specifically suggested that Daniel's Head should be set aside for that purpose.

If that is done it will reassure those people at the West End who believe that part of the old Naval Annex should be used for general public recreation. Make no mistake, not everyone sees a golf course as public recreation.

We recognise that what is to be called Morgan's Point is a great opportunity to boost tourism and provide a top notch golf course to benefit Bermuda in the long-term. However there are people who see the Morgan's Point development as a rejection of the needs of the average Bermudian. Those needs really centre around relieving the stress of crowding in Bermuda. We should not underestimate the importance of that stress. People who feel they are not enjoying their share of Bermuda see the use of the old Naval Annex as an up-market housing, golfing, marina complex as more benefit for the haves.

To complicate the issue, we now have a dispute over whether or not the Bermuda Land Development Company has chosen the best development scheme. It does seem to us that the chosen scheme with its largely inland golf course does not make the best use of the site. There are also convincing arguments that the golf course which has been accepted is not the best we could have. Since it is clear that we are going to have Morgan's Point, clearly it should be the best complex Bermuda can find.

We should remember that despite statements which have been made, not everyone is happy with the total use of Morgan's Point in this way. However it might now be possible to meet some social needs at the East End. True, Clearwater Beach is open to the public for recreation but there are entertainment and youth needs which have to be considered. Bermuda's young people want some space and they need a place to let off steam. The "not in my back yard'' syndrome precludes such space much of the rest of Bermuda.

Kindley is now the only place. In our rush to be certain that the Base lands are used to replace the income lost by the departure of the military, we must not overlook the social needs of Bermudians.