fast turning into a Banana Republic must have had their worst fears confirmed Wednesday. The Progressive Labour Party's Alex Scott, who is the Shadow Minister for Home Affairs -- a post which carries some responsibility for internal security and the Police -- openly stated that Bermuda need not look for the best person to be Commissioner of Police.

He said it was ridiculous for anyone to be looking for the best for Bermuda and that someone in the present Police hierarchy "would do'' since you just need someone to fill the job. He said that despite the fact that the Inspector General of Dependent Territories Police Forces, Lionel Grundy, has said that during interviews with 15 senior Police officers he saw no indication that any officer has the ability coupled with the enthusiasm to aspire to a Chief Officer's role in the near future, and certainly not the demanding post of Commissioner of Police.

To support his argument, Mr. Scott said that if The Royal Gazette or the Mid-Ocean News needed top editors then David White or Tim Hodgson would not do but they do have the jobs. The answer to that, of course, is that if the voters insisted on top politicians, Mr. Scott would certainly not do.

If you extend Mr. Scott's reckless argument to his portfolio as Minister of Immigration then you could have a situation where under the PLP there would be insistence from Immigration that anybody among the top 15 or so employees who happened to be Bermudian could head major international companies; that accounting firms need not apply for accountants because their bookkeepers will do just as well; that a front desk clerk can run a major hotel or that a copy writer could head an advertising agency.

Mr. Scott seems to have no understanding of the public's concern for a well run Police Service or of the need for talent in a society as sophisticated as Bermuda nor does he seem to understand that the majority of people on work permits actually generate jobs for Bermudians.

Bermuda with its high standards has done remarkably well in producing top people but there has to be some understanding that as a small Country we will probably never be free of the need to import some talent. Mr. Scott seems to be saying that anyone will do for a job, just fill the post.

Anyone who has had any questions about the PLP's ability to manage the economy now has their answer.

Just imagine the chaos if Mr. Scott became the Minister responsible for Immigration. With his philosophy applied to them, international companies would be packing and there would be no companies for junior employees to head anyway. Bermuda would not need more accountants because there would be little left to account. The quality of the island's services would be gravely endangered.

And it is hard to imagine what state the Police Service would be in.