THE EDITOR, Sir:
IN THE heat of the political campaign we recall with nostalgia the humour that once characterised political debate in Jamaica.
Bustamante's sense of humour and his legendary exchanges with Iris King, Rose Leon, Wills Isaacs, and even Florizel Glasspole, made light of so many political issues that today flare up into anger and war.
Not well known nor acknowledged is Mr. Seaga's contribution to the best of wit and humour in and out of Parliament over many years.
His opponents and detractors are constantly surprised by the humour, the half-concealed smile and the almost deadpan features which he uses to set them up for his often devastating punch lines.
As in 1972 in his first budget speech following the PNP's overwhelming victory when, as Opposition Finance spokesman, he reeled off in the House a set of figures detailing the sharp and astronomical price increase suddenly imposed on motor vehicles by the Government, some 100 per cent and over.
"I ask you, Mr. Speaker," he said, as he paused for dramatic effect, "is this what the Government means when it says they are putting the country back on its feet?"
As Minister of Finance while presiding over the Jamaicanisation of the currency from pounds to dollars in 1968, he was challenged by Gleaner columnist Morris Cargill to resist naming the new currency after local politicians because, according to Cargill, "there is nothing I would hate more than having to carry a Seaga or a Bustamante around in my pocket."
On JBC-TV the nation watched in amusement as Mr. Seaga declared that he himself would enter a contest to name the new currency, and would propose naming the lowest denomination, the one-cent piece, a Cargill, "because that would mean having a Cargill would be next to having no sense (cents) at all."
It took Morris three weeks to reply with a one-liner at the start of his column "Well what do you know, Seaga has made a joke, and a good one, at last."
I am, etc.,
LEROY BLAKE
Bull Savannah
St. Elizabeth
