Jackson seems to us to be essential reading for Bermudians. Well reasoned, sensible and forthright, Mr. Jackson's remarks present the wisdom gained from years of public service to this Country in education, business, committees and public boards and, finally, as President of the Senate.

Albert Jackson's public career has been marked by a sense of fairness, quietly expressed with a gentlemanly dignity. His contribution has been the greater because it has been carried out carefully and thoughtfully.

His views on how the Senate is used by the political parties were first expressed quietly but forcefully before a large gathering of politicians and other community leaders at his retirement party at Government House. As he spoke that evening, there were many who agreed with him.

He feels that the Senate over which he presided is not being used in the way it was designed to be used. There is a tendency for the political parties to use their Senate seats as a training ground and stepping-stone for young politicians on their way to the House of Assembly...for public exposure.

While stressing that he is not criticising the young politicians who serve in the Senate or who have served in the Senate and have now been elected to the House, he feels the Senate was really conceived as a senior review body.

People who are recognised by Bermuda for their expertise in a wide range of fields would sit in the Senate and take a second look at legislation passed by the House.

Mr. Jackson says, "My lament is that the community loses the senior, mature judgment one would expect to find in people who have served the communty as parliamentarians, in business, art or industry -- all those who have achieved mature levels of life and who might usefully act in advisory capacities, are denied that responsibility because of this policy.'' Mr. Jackson is entirely correct both in his views on how the Senate was intended to be used and on the fact that Bermuda is denied a wide array of mature judgment. Indeed, if then Governor Viscount Dunrossil had not appointed Albert Jackson to the Senate as an Independent in 1985, after his retirement, Bermuda would have been denied his enormous contribution. What Mr. Jackson is saying is that there are others who could make major contributions who are being denied so that budding politicians can get political exposure.

Mr. Jackson has seen Bermuda up-close from the days of segregation until his departure from the Senate. He is able to say with justification, "Unfortunately integration has not yet been achieved at a level which seems to be most desirable. And this I find disturbing. In principle, all the barriers have disappeared, but in practice, there is still too much evidence that some are still in place.'' We think Bermuda will be much poorer for Albert Jackson's departure from public life and we think that the Senate needs more like him.