The Editor, Sir:

The JLP's manifesto is a fairly comprehensive document. The solutions it contains seek to attack the cause of our problems rather than the symptoms. Excellent approach!

For example, on the matter of crime control the old approach of promising to build a new prison and establishing a well armed police/ military task force has been done away with. Instead effective corrective actions have been proposed for the following areas: inequities, brutality at the hands of the security forces, inordinate delays in the resolution of both criminal and civil cases, corruption, difficulty of getting redress, ignorance, lack of opportunities and police/civilian relationship.

I submit that if the JLP gets the aforementioned problems even partially corrected we would witness the dawn of that better Jamaica. The manifestation of this would not only be seen in a reduction in the incidence of crime, but also is an improvement in the overall quality of life. There would be an observed reduction in our misery level.

Mr. Golding's emphasis on crime reduction seems to be predicated on the belief that if crime is significantly removed from the society that spurts of economic activities that can result are inestimable. This line of thinking, while not seminal, is undoubtedly a breath of fresh thought. Clearly, Mr. Golding's approach to solving problems seems to be guided by the best scholarship available on eachsubject matter.

Another important subject alluded to in the manifesto has to do with the undertaking to improve the quality of service offered by government departments and agencies. For decades members of the public have been complaining about the poor quality service provided by some of these institutions. The ones about which complains are most often heard are: the Registrar General's Department, Administrator General's Department, the Registrar of Titles' office, Police Service, the Passport Service Department and the Transport Authority. All these institutions need to be reorganised and reoriented so as to make them become user-friendly and user-focused, Not only the personnel and systems of these institutions something must be done about, but also the facilities provided for the accommodation and use of the public.

Overall the manifesto is a well thought through and coherent document. Indeed it can be linked to a road map designed to lead us out of the social and economic quagmire into which we have been led!

Missing factor

However, while the manifesto is excellent there is a missing factor. What is missing from government, and had been missing for some time, is competent and incorruptible leadership. It is a truism that once a manifesto is released to the public any party can make use of its contents. Therefore, it can be argued that our elections are, in effect, about choosing the more competent and incorruptible group of persons to manage the affairs of the country. Now space does not allow for me to offer the analysis that leads to the conclusion that one party is currently better than the other on this all-important criterion; but suffice it to say that this 'hoottupek' has a vote for the better party!

Finally, I would like to express my agreement with the manner in which the JLP proposes to go about implementing its policies. They are committed to a step by step approach. This approach to policy implementation should be recommended to everyone; because it is widely accepted that it is only 'fools speed ahead'!

I am, etc.,

LASLIE EBANKS

Kingston 11