Dear Sir,

I am moved to write the following, having read the Opinion column in The Royal Gazette on September 17 under the headline “Commercial Immigration; can it work for Bermuda?”

My answer is “Why not?”

After all, it is not something new; it’s been going on for years.

When I returned to Bermuda from Canada in 1958 after having emigrated in 1957 at the tender age of 21, I could not believe the changes which had occurred in the mere ten months I was away. Trimingham Hill, where I had enjoyed exploring and playing in my boyhood, was entirely destroyed. The forest was levelled to the point where it became known as “Old Baldy” together with some (not all, thank goodness) of the farmland recreated for housing development.

Coupled with this was the realisation that the demeanour of many of my countrymen had changed dramatically. It was as though a new generation had suddenly been born — the result of new-found prosperity through international businesses beginning to be established here (in a significant way, like it or not).

The offshoot of all this activity resulted, again like it or not, in the eventual settling in Bermuda of many executives of these companies.

If commercial immigration is allowed, what possible harm could it do? It would hopefully attract persons of considerable means who would utilise their millions for the development of hotels and other businesses, which would ultimately lead to more employment of Bermudians.

As an aside, I would venture to guess that the capital provided in establishing many of the local businesses primarily came from non-Bermudian sources anyway. So, what is the problem? To the many naysaying supporters of the Progressive Labour Party, I would say, “Get over it, the world is changing.” And to the government of the day, I say, “Go for it regardless. You are in charge.”

NB: I would hope that the One Bermuda Alliance’s positive stance, if eventually taken, will dispel the notion obviously held by the PLP that Bermudians don’t want foreigners enjoying the same benefits they (the PLP) feel exclusively entitled to. I hold my breath.

GERALD YOUNG