THE EDITOR, Sir:
ONLY MONTHS before the Campaign for Prosperity was launched, disgruntled coffee farmers demonstrated in front of the Ministry of Finance to get some redress from Dr. Omar Davies' ministry.
This in the wake of the failure of Dyoll, the failure of the Financial Services Commission F.S.C. to scrutinise Dyoll, and the failure by the Coffee Industry Board to admit that having collected our cess, their first obligation rightly belonged to the farmers.
We were treated to a taste of true disdain by personnel at the Finance Ministry where our letter requesting the minister's intervention was registered and then left. Is it not time for the campaigners of prosperity to ask Dr. Davies even to condescend to answer the farmers' letter?
Only three weeks ago, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, in giving the keynote address at the launch of the Jamaica Agriculture Society/Excell Insurance health plan said, "I am doing all in my power to resolve this issue for the farmers." But neither the JAS nor the Honourable Prime Minister himself, has elaborated on what is meant by "doing all in one's power".
Are we so immoral to each other that court dates and court action are the only means of resolving issues where an accepted and egregious wrong has been committed?
I am, etc.,
DERRICK SIMON
Camp David, Golden Spring
