Thank you for allowing me space in your column.

I'd like to congratulate the organisers of the march against violence. I was very impressed with Sharonlyn Wilson, Kita Hill, and Geneva Hundy-Woodley and their commitment and dedication to achieving their objective. I believe everyone would benefit from taking a page from their book, "Be a part of the solution, not the pollution.'' It is so easy to complain about the ills of society, but how many of us are willing to do something about it.

My support is behind these ladies 110 percent.

Keep up the good work.

SHAY DAWN BURGESS St. George's Premier must be stopped April 24, 2001 On the front page of The Royal Gazette on Monday, April 23, we find "Smith says Cook legal action is premature''. Of course it is premature, and thanks be to God that it is premature! That is exactly the intention of those poised to sue Robin Cook, the British Foreign Minister, over British broken promises on constitutional change.

If Bermuda doesn't act "prematurely'', they could make this constitutional change into law, totally without any "input'' from the people of Bermuda.

Jennifer Smith, with the backing of British Foreign Minister Robin Cook, must be stopped in her tracks, for Bermuda wants permanent changes put into law only after voices of all Bermudians are heard -- in other words, through a referendum.

One thing Bermuda doesn't need is having Parliamentary procedure rearranged so that Jennifer Smith, or any future Premier of her ilk, has absolute control over the proceedings. That would make her a total dictator and must be avoided at all costs. A referendum should be held, no matter how much Jennifer Smith is against it.

Once again, Gloria McPhee emerges as a natural leader, with ability, experience and abiding concern for those in all walks of Bermuda's life. In her letter to the Governor, and for the attention of the team from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, she wrote (in her closing statement, copied to the Mid-Ocean News of 2nd April, 2001) "I implore you to consider first and foremost the people of Bermuda, whose ancestors of all colours built and made Bermuda what it is today. Most of all, the democratic process should be ever present and evident in our deliberations.

"It is, therefore, my opinion that the preferred method of constitutional change must be by way of a referendum. It is the people's country. And it is the people's future''. (signed Gloria J. McPhee, OBE).

The full extent of this entire letter by Mrs. McPhee would not be out-of-place if reprinted on an occasional basis, to remind Bermudians to live by the same common sense standards that produced her priceless letter.

ELKA Pembroke Webb is a facilitator April 23, 2001 Dear Sir, Firstly, allow me to state in response to Mr. Robert Stewart that the Hon.

Minister Renee Webb has never said publicly nor privately that licenses (telecommunications etc.) would be denied to applicants who didn't look like her. What she has expressed is that she will use her good offices to ensure that those who have been historically excluded are given an opportunity to participate at the highest levels of this economy.

Simply put her role has been and will continue to be for the foreseeable future that of a facilitator. I contend that this initiative is not only politically correct but more importantly, morally right as well. And if the end result is that more of Bermuda's black inhabitants participate in the wealth creation process, rather than just settling for being consumers and employees, she is to be lauded and not condemned.

And while Mr. Stewart, as evidenced by his letter has indicated that he is in favour of black economic empowerment in principle, he provides no practical solution of his own to achieve it. The Progressive Labour Party was not elected to perpetuate an "old boys network'', whether locally generated or one imported from overseas and as such should be rightly concerned that a robust African Bermudian business presence is nurtured and assisted in its growth.

As to his reference to the Constitution surely he is not suggesting that the allegedly relevant clause within that document should be perversely applied to maintain or enshrine racially engendered privilege at the expense of an historically aggrieved class i.e.. black Bermudians.

Remediation is called for and will only transform Bermuda in such a way as to make its business environment more diverse by extending the wealth creation process to more of its inhabitants. As stated previously a healthy development for us all.

Once again to Ms Webb: You Go Girl! ROLFE COMMISSIONG City of Hamilton Lions tag success April 15, 2001 Dear Sir, Last month the Lions, Lioness and Leo Clubs of Bermuda held their annual White Cane Tag Day. Once again the general public made the event a roaring success by donating a total of $18,034.50, with donations still being made. The money collected on this Tag Day is used to help people in Bermuda who are visually impaired.

Not only did the community give generously from their pockets, just as importantly many others gave of their time, Seniors from Sandys Community Centre, Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, Summerhaven residents, S.P.C.A. members, Southampton Glebe and Sandys Secondary students, businesses, friends and members. Without support from those who gave and those who tagged, the work of the Sight Conservation Committee could not continue.

From the people we are able to help, a sincere "thank you'' to those who helped make it possible.

JIM LEICH Zone Chairman Lions and Lioness Clubs of Bermuda Tree hackers' ignorance April 20, 2001 Dear Sir, I am amazed at the arrogant attitude taken by Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott in regards to the hacking down of the Island's trees. What is being done is absolutely outrageous. You do not hack trees down for the sake of it -- it is complete ignorance. If Works and Engineering do not have the smarts in pruning trees, then it is the Minister's responsibility to have the ones hacking these trees down educated in the correct way of pruning trees.

If people are not cutting back their hedges and/or trees overhanging the public roadside, these people should be warned of such, and if they do not comply, a fine could be levied against them. But, for the Works and Engineering Minister to arrogantly state in today's Royal Gazette and I quote, "If you want (pruning) done nicely, do it yourself. and if you don't want it butchered, do it yourself. Road gangs, "he warned, "Are cutting a hedge near you.'' Why the arrogance and rudeness. is this necessary? If you don't know what you are doing, ask someone who does. When I saw the devastated trees on Palmetto road and the Royal Poinciana on Serpentine and Pitts Bay road (incidentally, I know the person whose grandmother planted that Poinciana tree around 1910) on Easter Sunday, I could not believe my eyes. Even if people let their trees and hedges grow to the other side of the road, it does not justify the hacking down of trees which are so important to our environment! These trees should be cut back in the neatest manner possible. Does this department have no sense of pride in their work? I would think the Minister would rather have praise for his efforts in beautifying this island rather than be knocked upside down with all this criticism for butchering the island's trees. Does he not know the difference between beautiful and hideous? Minister Scott, change your arrogant and rude attitude. You can gather more bees with sugar than with vinegar! PAT FERGUSON Warwick UK may not want hassle April 23, 2001 Dear Sir, The less than 20 percent of the population who are dissatisfied with the present government's moves and keep up certain activities which could aggravate the British government we would find that we are suddenly independent.

They could feel they can do without the hassle and declare us independent and have done with us. Not that I would object but that same under 20 percent would be even more miserable.

Britain plainly said after the 1979 Constitution there would be no more constitutional conferences until the conference of Bermuda independent.

ROSS TUZO Warwick