Dear Sir, On behalf of the Bermuda Zoological Society I wish to congratulate the Corporation of St. George's for taking the lead in banning the mass release of helium balloons.

At a recent meeting of the executive of the Society there was universal support of this move which, it was noted, supports existing legislation. In Bermuda it is illegal to release balloons into the atmosphere. Beyond the legal issue and, we feel, more importantly is the environmental implications of such releases. These short-lived spectacles can have profound effects on very long-lived phenomena.

It is clear that virtually all helium-filled balloons released from Bermuda will end up in the ocean thereby increasing the amount of plastic debris fouling our seas. Balloons are reported to persist in the marine environment for periods of up to 40 years during which time they pose very significant threats to marine life.

We trust that your readership knows that magnificent creatures including sea turtles and whales have died from ingesting plastic bags and balloons. Indeed we are confident that many appreciate that balloons have been identified as major culprits in causing such senseless losses.

We feel that it is incumbent upon every one of us to take responsibility for the proper disposal of the waste that our society generates. We must respect the natural amenities that make Bermuda a wonderful place to live and take pride in our island home. In our opinion, the Corporation of St. George's has adopted the appropriate stance, we applaud their decision and look forward to similar statements from other local organisations.

ERIC CLEE President, Bermuda Zoological Society Small firms need help too September 27, 1999 Dear Sir, Ex-Commissioner Lennie Edwards calls for urgent overseas recruiting to fill empty places in the `Thin Blue Line.' Telco is thirty or so short. Johnny Troja can't use Defontes cleaning service to clean his pots. And it took Defontes eight months to get permission to hire the man Mr. Troja can't use.

After working all day, and the evening too, Johnny now has to stay up nights washing his pots himself, or close down. We have run out of Bermudians as everyone but Immigration knows, otherwise, to get some sleep, Johnny would hire one. Lennie is right, Bermudian organisations need expats; poor politics, but they will keep Bermuda running and Bermudians employed.

The exempt companies and lawyers have some sort of leverage to get fast track immigration approval. Mr. Defontes hopes it isn't money. But, if you are a local business hiring almost all Bermudians, it is hell to get a permit for the few expats you need.

If you are a foreign owned exempt company or a lawyer, with everybody but the telephone operator an expat, you get permission to hire another expat tomorrow morning.

Immigration needs to know that a business, unlike the Civil Service, is like a clock. It must work and do its job to the minute. If it doesn't, it stops.

Each employee is like a cogwheel, you take one out and the clock won't run.

You take the pot washer out of Mr. Troja's business and it won't run either.

You can't wait eight weeks to get it going again, the clock at the bank is ticking all the time. So is the payroll for the other Bermudian employees who won't get paid at all if the business folds.

Mr. Defontes says foreign companies bring a lot of revenue to the Island.

Sure, but how much of it stays here? When they get through with these oversized new buildings, what next? Will they just continue running up the rents for the locals? How much do the exempted companies really leave in Bermuda? They are exempt from the same taxes Bermuda businesses pay. Jut how much do they pay in tax, if anything? With the same deal Bermuda businesses could grow too, and pay better wages, instead of one by one selling out and closing up.

Mr. Law should read the paper: Davison's, after Lantana, Once Upon a Table, Archie Browns, Club Monaco, The London Shop and so on, all Bermudian employers of Bermudians.

The bureaucrats of the Civil Service have never had to meet a payroll, if they ever had, they might understand the problems Bermudian business faces. Maybe there is something in the idea that if Bermudian business was tax exempt too, it would take off like the exempt companies have.

Why not make the local and tourist business exempt for a few years and just see what happens. Maybe we would get some new hotels, instead of new office buildings that just add traffic to the roads, bring in more expats that Mr.

Troja can't hire, and run up the rents. Tax-paying Bermudians, employers of Bermudians or tax exempt foreign employers of expats - in Bermuda, who should come first, really, I ask you? PENDULUM St. George's It's not party time yet September 30, 1999 Dear Sir, I would like to refer to your article in the September 30, 1999 Royal Gazette: Plans for PLP's first anniversary victory bash raises questions over who pays, by Raymond Hainey.

Where is my invitation to the First Anniversary Celebration of the Progressive Labour Party's General Election? After all, I voted for the PLP. I am a citizen of Bermuda. I am Bermudian. What am I not of the rich, higher class, am I not "a head of state'', so I am not worthy of an invitation? You're darn right this should create a storm of controversy!!! Beside, why haven't we the people of Bermuda heard or read anything about this "up coming event''. After all if it wasn't for we the people, for the people of Bermuda, the PLP would not have gotten in. Why do we not have a decision regarding this event? It seems to me that the PLP is enjoying a free ride, spending quite freely all of our funds, wasting it on travelling expense accounts. Nothing has been done to improve the quality of life for Bermudians.

I am totally against a "first year anniversary party'', spend the money wisely instead of wasting it on food and booze and travel for invited guests from abroad and locally. SPEND THE FUNDS on us, improve our quality of life, help get the cost of housing down for us, spend the funds on our education, on our roads, on our sanitary upkeep of Bermuda, especially within the City limits of Hamilton.

If you are going to have a "Celebration'' do it at the end of your four year term, after you have really proven yourselves and are worthy of re-election and have earned the right to spend "our'' money in such a manner.

But, remember, to invite "we the people of Bermuda'' who elected you where you are for a purpose to help us - so do it! Due to the high cost of living we locals have to watch every penny we make, and so should the PLP.

THINKING ABOUT BECOMING UBP Paget Is Otti right for the job? September 30, 1999 Dear Sir, In the September 29th edition of The Royal Gazette , Matthew Taylor wrote an article which included my comments regarding the Trades Disputes Tribunal appointees who will review the dispute between Precision /Somers and the Bermuda Industrial Union.

I had up until this point in time avoided any comment on this issue as I did not want to prejudice the work of the Tribunal by highlighting the issues concerning this matter in public before the Tribunal had the opportunity to sit, hear both parties concerned and then deliberate.

However, with the selection of the Tribunal I would be remiss if I did not point out the concern that I, and I believe many in the community, have with the appointment of Mr. Ottiwell Simmons.

When invoked correctly, I completely endorse the procedure provided for by the Trade Disputes Act which was enacted by the United Bermuda Party in 1992.

However, after hearing the selection of the Tribunal members, I must voice my concern and the community's alarm, over the appointment of Mr. Ottiwell Simmons.

The Trade Disputes Act 1992 was passed in the House of Assembly specifically to deal with disputes such as the one that currently exists in this case. The legislation provides to the Minister the power to appoint a chairperson and it specifies that this person must have legal qualifications. Furthermore it empowers the Minister, after consultation with both parties involved, to appoint two additional members of the Tribunal. The Tribunal is then authorised to hear submissions from all concerned before delivering a binding award.

It is very apparent, after review of the legislation, that the intention was that the Tribunal be comprised of impartial nominees who could function successfully as unbiased arbitrators.

It is difficult to believe that this could be the case with the appointment of Mr. Simmons. This honourable Parliamentarian is revered as legendary in his role as the former President and gladiator for the Bermuda Industrial Union.

Any right thinking member of the community will almost certainly conclude that he will have a clear and obvious bias and partiality to the case put forward by the union.

This is contrary to the intent of the legislation and not conducive to a fair hearing for both sides involved.

In the article the Minister commented that she thought it was my opinion that the 1992 Trade Disputes Act should be amended. That is not correct. The act is clear in its intent. It is the consequent action of the Minister in allowing the selection of Mr. Simmons to sit on the Tribunal that should be amended. It is unbridled favouritism toward the union to the detriment of due process. I encourage everyone to stay tuned to see the outcome of the "democracy'' of the decision.

MICHAEL DUNKLEY, M.P.

Devonshire South