THE EDITOR, Sir:
IT IS with regret and dismay that I read of the possibility of the Jamaica Manufacturers' Association (JMA) "pulling out" of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ). I sincerely hope this is not so.
At a time when countries including Jamaica are forging partnerships to establish stronger positions through synergies, we have our local organisations such as these doing the opposite. What a retrograde step! This will deal a severe blow to manufacturing and business in general.
There is no reason why the officers of these two organisations, JMA and PSOJ, cannot meet and discuss their differences in a responsible, mature and intelligent manner. They must be able to come to an amicable conclusion, even to agree to disagree on any specific point of difference. This will allow them to concentrate their efforts on the more important tasks ahead, that of restoring our economic fortunes, and build a country suitable for the next generation.
We cannot allow petty difference or historical grievances to cloud our vision for the future. Our energies could be better spent, through co-operation, to deal with the challenges ahead.
Confrontation saps the energy of all, co-operation strengthens us all.
Let good sense prevail.
I am, etc.,
CYRIL S. BRIDGE
Kingston 6
