Firstly I would like to respond to Dr. Clark Godwin's suggestion that the Bermuda Government develop its own "White Paper'' in order to present Bermudian demands to the British.

Dr. Godwin, this is an excellent idea, however you are talking about a Government that cannot seem to get anything accomplished. When our Government was supposed to be presenting a summary and opinion on the White Paper our Premier simply read the document verbatim -- a good thing too because it was undoubtedly the first read for many in Parliament. How can you expect these same individuals to prepare a Bermudian version of a document that our Government cannot even explain to its own members, let alone to the people of this Country? Secondly, on a more personal note, Dr. Godwin I have read with interest many of your letters to the Editor and although I disagree with most of them I feel that your opinions are valid and play an important role in today's society. I would very much like to meet with you face to face in order to discuss the issues and challenges that face this Island in the future because I feel that I can learn a great deal from you, as I am sure you can learn something from me. The type of discussion I would like to have is one that many would consider politically incorrect - a real "gloves off'', knock down, drag out discussion on race relations and politics in Bermuda.

I was involved in a conversation with some PLP and some "old school'' UBP members at a business forum a few months ago, which sparked this desire to speak with you.

After a brief discussion about Kosovo the subject matter of the conservation returned to Bermudian politics and it became clear to me that the UBP members were avoiding the topic of race relations. In fact, I was hushed up when I brought up the issue and was told in no uncertain terms that race was too touchy a subject to broach. This I found absolutely astonishing. No wonder the UBP lost the last election! Bermudians need to discuss this issue openly and without fear. The crisis in Kosovo is an extreme example of what can happen in a country when issues of race relations are not addressed. Will you speak to me? If you do agree, be advised that I do not intend to mince words. I will "tell it the way I see it'' and will no doubt add fuel to a fire that seems to burn in your heart. I feel that you are a role model for young Bermudians, but that you are not completely informed about the hopes and fears of the "other side''.

A closed mind can be a very dangerous thing. Hopefully, by the time we are finished we can at least walk away with a better understanding of each other, and perhaps together we can begin a process that will lead to a truly "New Bermuda''.

CHRISTOPHER C. MORRIS City of Hamilton Treatment was deplorable This the full text of the letter written by Carolyn Davis, whose daughter and infant grandaughter were held up by Canadian Immigration authorities in Toronto when the child needed emergency medical treatment.

August 1, 1999 Dear Sir, Due to the distressing situation which has befallen my family, it is with profound regret that I have been motivated to report the events of July 12, 1999 in relation to a medical emergency, travelling to the Toronto Sick Children's Hospital (TSCH) in Canada.

En route to the hospital, my daughter, her 26-day-old son, and myself were held in detention at the Pearson International Airport for an extended period and denied adequate medical attention to the potential detriment of the baby who was gravely ill and a patient of a Canadian specialist.

The baby was primarily diagnosed and treated in Bermuda. However, the case was referred to the specialist at TSCH (the Chief of Metabolics) for further diagnosis and treatment. The attending paediatrician in Bermuda informed us that we would have to travel within 24 hours and that the Medical Social Work Department would make all the necessary arrangements.

In furtherance of these arrangements, on the advice of our travel agent, I made inquiries at The Bermuda Department of Immigration with regard to the baby's required travel documents. The Immigration Department refused to add the baby's name to the mother's passport, which I do not contest on legal grounds, and further informed me that the infant's passport application process would take eight working days. Appeals for additional emergency documentation were also ignored by the Immigration Department clerk. I was rudely informed that the passport would not be processed that day (Tuesday, July 12, 1999) regardless of the situation, and was abruptly dismissed.

We were further assured, by the Bermuda Medical Social Work Department, that a letter from the father granting permission for medical care for the baby would not be required and that all vital documents were in order for entry into Canada. These documents included a `Fitness to Fly' certificate, a Nursing discharge summary, ultra sound, X-rays, medical report, miscellaneous lab results and an insurance coverage letter and ID card from BF&M Insurance.

Requests placed with the Medical Social Work officer for en route medical assistance and for TSCH personnel to assist us at the Airport for expedient immigration processing were denied.

At the Airport, these documents were not reviewed by the stewards of Air Canada and hence they did not reveal to us that we would experience difficulty if attempting to enter Canada with this lack of documentation.

Upon arrival in Canada we were treated as would-be criminals by the Canadian Immigration Officers. It is our understanding that our subsequent detention was a result of the fact that the baby was without (i) an issued passport and (ii) a Notary letter from the father regarding consent for medical treatment in spite of the abundance of evidence to the gravity of the baby's medical status.

Requests for clarification of our position and medical assistance were declined. We were perplexed at the incessant rejection of all reasonable appeals to: (1) Contact the paediatrician in Bermuda to assist with further contacts; (2) Communicate with the Toronto Sick Children's Hospital or the specialist at TSCH directly; (3) Have the on-call nurse at the airport attend to the baby and assist us; (4) Contact Bermuda Immigration Department; and (5) Contact the Medical Social Worker in Bermuda for assistance. Our travel documents were seized by the Canadian Immigration Officer and we were offered photocopies of the same and told to sign for receipt of these copies. We were informed that we are considered as detainees and would be released to seek treatment at the hospital under the following conditions: Proof of full payment of medical bills and any expenses; Participation in an Inquiry Hearing; Payment of a non-refundable $200 fee for the purpose of the Inquiry.

If all of the above requirements were satisfied, and upon consideration of the Canadian authorities, we would then be given permission to leave the country without being formally charged for not having these two documents on our person.

We arrived at TSCH at approximately 6.20 p.m., some 3 hours after landing in Canada. Both mother and child were traumatised and extremely distressed. The baby was immediately admitted to a ward following examination of his oxygen levels, which were low.

The Chief of Metabolics (Dr. Clark) was shocked upon hearing of our ordeal, particularly after stressing to the Canadian Immigration officer that the baby was gravely ill and that he was awaiting our arrival at the emergency room of TSCH. It is apparent that the immigration authorities had failed to inform him that his patient was being detained.

This deplorable treatment of us as human beings is of particular concern since the doctor has requested that the baby return for further treatment and analysis. It is my understanding that we are not the only Bermudian family that has been treated in such a deplorable manner by the Canadian Government.

We as Bermudians have embraced Canadians throughout the years and treated them with deference and dignity. We have not only embraced Canadians as visitors, but also welcomed them as members of our work force. Since Bermudians cannot be equally treated with respect by the Canadian authorities, we may need to re-evaluate our Bermudian-Canadian "relationship''.

It is my fervent hope that all Bermudians will join me by voicing their opinions if they have suffered similar injustices at the hands of the Canadian Immigration services.

CAROLYN DAVIS Hamilton Parish