Emulate Cargill's discipline, integrity

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I WOULD highly appreciate space in which to express some ideas on the need for a return to integrity and self discipline in the Jamaican community. But before I explain how this can be done, let me congratulate Mr. Hector Wynter on his valuable tribute to the late Morris Cargill which appeared in an overseas issue of The Weekly Gleaner, dated April 20-26, and from which this topic was chosen.

I do not question the validity of Hector's comments on the integrity and self-discipline of the late columnist and in fact I am in substantial agreement with him with regards to Mr. Cargill's exemplary qualities in so far as these can be objectively ascertained from his works. As a fitting tribute to this great Jamaican, I strongly suggest that the greatest honour that can be accorded to him at this time would be for the Jamaican people to accept the reality that, for too long a period of time, Jamaica has languished in need of the application of integrity, self respect, honesty, fair play and justice at all levels of society. These principles must be brought back to the core basis on which the judicial and political systems, institutional and community activities rest.

Community leaders, government officials, business and cultural leaders must all seize the opportunity to change old attitudes that have no place in the proper social, cultural, political, economic and other forms of development that are relevant to human life and dignity in the modern world.

No human progress can be maintained without these ingredients. When all else fails, example prevails.

If the need for good discipline, honesty, fair play, respect for self, life and property is demonstrated on a daily basis by those in authority and set as worthy goals of the society, I am confident the people will respond and find new meaning in their work and satisfaction in their lives.

This is the appropriate moment to embark upon new perspectives by emulating the good things that Morris Cargill and others like him stood for. Continue their efforts based on the principles that guided them. When all else failed, this is what made them stand out and be respectable.

I perceive Morris saying, "I gave you my life. What I ask is not much".

I am, etc.,

BENJAMIN SPENCER

213 Manchester Street

Mattapan, MA 02126

USA

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