It is sad that in 1999 someone could write that the Portuguese were brought to Bermuda for their skill and willingness to work hard, not because the Governor did not want to employ newly-freed slaves. This might suggest that the ex-slaves were lazy and unskilled in work that they always did.

Mr. Editor, this nonsense must stop. Where were those skilled hard-working people for the previous 400 years? There was a trend throughout the colonies to suppress the earning power of the ex-slaves. In the West Indies the "Apprenticeship Scheme'' was introduced, and one of the first laws passed in Trinidad after emancipation was the anti-squatter act. This was to prevent the newly-freed slaves from going up into the hills to cultivate crown-lands for their own benefit.

It is ironic Sir, that indentured labourers were brought from India across two oceans to the West Indies to work in the sugar-cane fields after emancipation.

But during slavery, when the Portuguese landowners in Brazil placed orders for slaves from Madagascar, one specific request was not to bring the straight-haired ones (Indians).

For obvious reasons the ex-slaves may have been unwilling to work, but they certainly were not unable. It is the capitalist way to obtain the cheapest labour available. Slavery was born out of greed not hate, that came later.

C. CLARKE Devonshire Glad deal fell through August 15,1999 Dear Sir, The letter written by Mr. S. Greet which appeared in The Royal Gazette dated August 14, 1999 concerning his views about Morgan's Point has my support.

I am glad that the deal has fallen through. At the hotel where I work there is no unemployment. Who then is going to benefit if a new hotel is built? I am sure Mr. Greet has read about the (perceived) losses our present hotels and guest houses are experiencing so one more hotel would not necessarily increase the present occupancy of 57 percent, but could have a bigger impact on the already (perceived) bankrupt hotels.

Who will benefit? Of course our banks, their (owners) and shareholders, law firms, accountant firms Belco & Telco and their (owners) and shareholders, our importers of cars, real estate agencies -- just recently one who had over 40 listings beginning at $2,500 a month. And of course the owners of these houses. Who will pay the price for the extra traffic on our roads. Less places in our schools for our children and grandchildren etc. We need to protect Marriott's Castle Harbour, Club Med and Belmont properties from any unnecessary development. Take heart, Mr. Greet, our Environment Minister Mr.

Arthur Hodson regards it vital that people understand the concept of sustainable development which means we have three people, you and I and the Minister, who agree.

RAYMOND RUSSELL Pembroke Prayer may help police August 16, 1999 Dear Sir, I recently came across this extract from African Enterprise Update, quoted in International Daily News bulletin for June/J uly 1999. Our beleaguered Police Service will, no doubt, find it of interest: "Police and administrative staff at the Plessislaer Police Station, in the Pietermaritzburg township of Edendale (South Africa) are being regularly challenged by African Enterprise (AE) to be good shepherds to the community they serve. For much of last year, the policemen and women of this station, which covers a large area of one of the most volatile regions in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, have had regular Wednesday morning ministry...Constable Rueban Pillay said the morning prayer times allowed the police to cope with the stress and be refreshed to face each new day. `the AE pastors have taught us to be godly leaders and good shepherds and to treat the community as we would treat Jesus. They teach us to do our work in a way that is presentable to the Lord...' `These prayer meetings changed many things in the police station,' Captain Ronny Nalathoren said. `Police are encouraged to be godly and they are trying very hard to practise what they learn. As a result, a healthy relationship has been developed between the staff and the community we are serving.' Inspector Mandla Mbeja said...`When I first heard about the prayer meetings I did not think it would help me. But now I really thank God for them.'' The extract concluded with the quote, "Now I see people as God's sheep.'' LINDA DESILVA City of Hamilton God can do `all things' August 17, 1999 Dear Sir, This letter is to the young man who made the front page on Friday August 13.

From the things you had to say in the paper concerning your habits, you have already made your choice. But stop for a moment and go over the things you had to say. You mentioned the one person that can do "All Things'' give him a try: his name is "Jesus Christ'', the son of the living God! God still reigns.

CONCERNED Somerset Tower answers pathetic August 18, 1999 Dear Sir, Now that Cellular One have announced that they will be switching to Digital, I wonder if the public are aware that living close to their tower will be even more dangerous with the new system.

I have called Cellular One on various occasions trying to find out how much radiation exposure I would be exposed to at the bottom of their towers. It's a question that FCC say I can ask and that they should tell me. The answers I have had from Cellular One are pathetic and would be amusing if it were not for the seriousness of the subject.

Some of the replies are as follows: 1) It's no more than a microwave gives off, with the door open.

2) It's no more than a television. (I assume 2 inches away) 3) We cannot say because of our competitors.

4) The latest answer was that they do not know.

With childhood leukemia, breast cancer on the rise in exposed populations, then the cellular companies should know and be able to measure exposure limits. We as the public should have the right to know. The sad fact is that neither the cellular companies nor the Government (both past and present) have had equipment to measure safety limits. That was the whole point of the "expert'' being brought in. The expert will only check the towers this time.

Who will check safety limits from now on, on a regular basis? I would hope that the public will start asking questions and find out more about the risks involved of using a cellular phone, or living close to a cellular phone tower.

TRYING TO GET SOME ANSWERS Warwick This is the new Bermuda! August 19, 1999 Dear Sir, My mouth fell open in horror when I read this morning's Royal Gazette headline ("Milton Scott: Fire all Independent Senators''). Please, Mr. Editor, tell me this was all some mistake, tell me Mr Raymond Hainey, the reporter who wrote the piece, accidentally misquoted Sen. Scott when he was reported to say "I was appointed by the Premier to do the Government's business. I won't tolerate anyone who frustrates that.'' Oh well, who needs a democracy, anyway? After all, this is the New Bermuda.

KNEE JERK City of Hamilton Sad at Rev. `Sancctimoni' August 20, 1999 Dear Sir, In the spirit of letters from Rev. Santucci, and now from Rev. Sancctimoni, I would like to quote a scripture from the last chapter of the book of Exodus: Chapter 1, Verse 799 (long chapter from a short book) reads, "I once was in Parliament (Power) but now I see!'' I joke because it is with a sense of sorrow that I read letters to the editor today to find a note from "Rev. Sancctimoni''. Checking your policies on letters to the editor, I am confused that your so-called ban on personal attacks allows for Premier Smith and the PLP Government to be compared to Hitler and the Gestapo. Though I am not totally surprised, because since the day the UBP lost power, there has been a full frontal assault by AWP's (Angry White People) RUM's (Rejected UBP MP's) and DBC's (Dopey Black Conservatives).

There are several examples to choose from, but of greatest interest was the politicising of the Non-Mariners Race in Somerset, the constant channel-changing-inducing speeches made by Opposition Sen. Maxwell Burgess and the evangelical mission Rev. Santucci seems to be on to make pseudo-religious defenses of the Premier.

Never in all of my days living in Somerset have I seen any float at this white-dominated event (not that I attend mind you!) focus on politics. This year however, we see not one, but two crafts making fun of the new Government, followed by news reports that one of the teams took irresponsible glee in destroying their own craft. Next we have Opposition Senator Maxwell Burgess, who after getting kicked out of Parliament for supporting a socially ambivalent political party, has suddenly enthusiastically taken up the cause of middle-class blacks and "the downtrodden''. Senator Burgess would have us think that the problems facing these groups have only appeared since November 9! This can only be topped by the Rev. Santucci who attempts to condemn The Gazette for not allowing the Premier to be a hypocrite (in his eyes mind you) in secret.

I really wonder if these lot have a case of Bermuda rot forming between the ears! More to the point, I truly hope that these people represent the fringe of resentment towards the new Government.

JUST ANOTHER BYE Somerset