THE EDITOR, Sir:

THIS IS a serious matter and must be taken seriously by all of us Christians, non-Christians, politicians, non-politicians, etc. This matter of ability to pay is critical, as I can personally attest a few times having been held up at gunpoint. On one occasion, I told the gunmen, "Even if you kill me, that's all I have got." With my life at stake, if I had the ability to pay them more, I would to save my life. This thing happened to me four times and I pleaded. One gunman was so angry, when I said I had no more money, he fired a shot! How I am alive, only God knows.

With this experience, every time I see workers making demand for more pay, with the threat of strike, I see those gunmen holding the gun on me. Employers, be it PNP, JLP or the Jamaica taxpayer, must, as a civilised people, know if there is the ability to pay. Every man's job is essential to all of us, even the street cleaners.

God help us to be reasonable. If gunmen did not accept my plea of ability to pay, I would be a dead man. Now, may Jesus help us to be reasonable.

I am, etc.,

A.A. WHITE

Jesus Witness Ministries

Hatfield P.O.

Manchester