"What is sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander.'' On December 29, 1998, the following was reported in The Royal Gazette , "Michael Vigodda is webmaster of the Rebecca Middleton Internet page -- urging a boycott of the Island until justice is done in the Middleton case.'' I wonder if Mr. Vigodda is including the many Canadians who are presently enjoying lucrative job opportunities, warmer Bermuda climatic conditions and other additional perks in his call to boycott our country.

Let's be fair! DR. MURIEL M. WADE-SMITH Smith's Parish The more things change... December 29, 1998 Dear Sir, I have just read Mr. Alan Bainbridge's letter of December 17, to your good self, in today's paper (December 29), regarding the automatic gratuities attached to most restaurant checks, and realise that this is just one more reason for the drop in tourism trade, as well as local.

The other reasons are certainly not new, having been a source of irritation for sixty years. These reasons were outlined, quite vividly in the Harem Scarem Show of 1938, words and music by Mr. W.E. Adderley with the help of Gilbert and Arthur Cooper and probably with the help of a few other of the cast.

If one will but substitute "Airlines'' for "Ships'', and "Taxis'' for "Trains'', I am sure that everyone will be able to get the picture.

Here are the problems that remain with us: They Wonder What's the Matter with Bermuda They say that this dear Island is a place where rain's unknown, They advertise that here's a land where storms have never blown, They say the Sun shines daily, and the chill winds never moan, And, they wonder what's the matter with Bermuda.

They advertise an eight day trip for eighty-seven `beans', And then pick all the pockets of the luckless tourist's jeans, And send a bill that makes him feel a man of little means, And they wonder what's the matter with Bermuda.

They talk of fine surf-bathing and of golfing every day, Of coloured coral beaches and of links where palm trees sway, But all forget to mention, that from town, they're miles away, And they wonder what's the matter with Bermuda.

The tourist takes a carriage to inspect their scenic pride, And spends about two hours driving round the countryside, HE has to pawn HER diamonds when he settles for the ride, And they wonder what's the matter with Bermuda.

They run a fishing tournament and offer sport galore, They take you out in cockle-shells a million miles offshore, They soak you plenty for the trip, then sell your fish for more, And they wonder what's the matter with Bermuda.

You take a train for Somerset, your fare's a goodly sum, They to return they double it, and seem to have such fun, Explaining that the Railroad's broke, and how the Statutes run, And they wonder what's the matter with Bermuda.

The Corporation had a grant, a City Hall to make, They fussed, and then, for years discussed, the site that they should take, They'd gladly tear a Hotel down, that's worth ten times the stake, And they wonder what's the matter with Bermuda.

Bermuda has a paper which for threepence they do sell, If the Times in London knew of it, they surely would shout...

They often print things upside-down, I wish they'd learn to spell, And they wonder what's the matter with Bermuda.

Oh, they wonder what's the matter with Bermuda, It's something that they never seem to see, They see their profits dwindling, the Tourist Trade goes spindling, But, to blame themselves, Oh! that could never be.

They just wonder what's the matter with their Island, They surely do their best to make it go, For trade, they plead and sign, but, to please, they seldom try, And they wonder what's the matter with Bermuda.

The Steamship Office gets him when he books his passage back, All Staterooms at the pre-paid rate, they always seem to lack, To get back home at all, he must "fork over'' still more "jack'', And they wonder what's the matter with Bermuda.

Now, if Mr. David Allen and the Monitor Group can eliminate these few problems, then our Tourist Trade will again be wonderful.

HT Paget Work leads to success December 30, 1998 Dear Sir, It is no secret that I am and will always be a supporter of the United Bermuda Party.

I joined the UBP because of its philosophy and the fact that it is made up of a cross-section of Bermuda's community. I am what some people would say a successful businessman, although personally I feel I am not.

Nevertheless, the things my wife and I have accomplished in our personal and professional lives have been accomplished through share hard work, sacrifice, dedication and above all patience.

I absolutely resent the notion that my wife and I have what we have because of my association with the UBP.

Let me publicly set the records straight. During the eight years that I have been a member of the UBP, I have never been promised anything by the UBP or any member of the UBP. During this period, my specialist coatings company has had a total of three Government-related jobs including the recently completed Sandys Middle School project which was awarded to us by the general contractor as we were low bidder.

For supporters of the current Government to suggest to me in one breath that "I have been well taken care off'' and in the other breath ask me to cross over to their party is to me an unfair characterisation. Therefore, I say to those individuals out there who think that I have had some sort of special treatment or some inside track with regards to upward mobility, please stop it. You could not be further from the truth and you are insulting my intelligence. Furthermore, it's not what your party or social club can do for you, but what you can do for your community.

Note: As a young black Bermudian, I think it is time that the black people on this island start encouraging our people to succeed and stop looking at each other with suspicion and jealousy.

RAMADHIN (RAMMY) SMITH City of Hamilton Thanks for the help December 21, 1998 Dear Sir, On Saturday, December 19, 1998, the Altrusa Club, Bermuda's oldest women's service organisation, held a Bake Sale on the premises of Lindo's Market in Devonshire.

On behalf of the Club, I would like to thank everyone who helped in any way to make the sale a tremendous success! Your involvement will enable us to continue with our efforts to make life easier for those less fortunate than ourselves.

Thank you once again, I wish you and yours a Very Merry Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

MARION MCNIVEN President Altrusa Club