one person who epitomises it, it is Dr. Roosevelt Brown.

In the 1960s, he was one of the leaders of the drive to universal adult suffrage and he was later an MP for the Progressive Labour Party who made the "ultimate sacrifice'' when he gave up his Pembroke East seat so that then-party leader the late Walter Robinson could return to the House of Assembly.

Since then, he has travelled the world as an ecological engineer, teaching and helping so-called Third World countries to start self-help schemes and to protect their environment. At the same time, he has kept an eye on his homeland and has provided a number of valuable services to the Island, particularly for the Progressive Labour Party and the labour movement.

We report today that Dr. Brown could soon be hired as a consultant for the Ministry of the Environment. Given Dr. Brown's experience and qualifications, it is possible that he could provide a number of valuable services to the Ministry and it is important that Bermuda take advantage of its own people's abilities when possible.

But Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson should also take care to ease fears that this appointment is part of a "New Bermuda'' gravy train, in which jobs are found for long-time supporters for no more reason than they are there and need work.

Traditionally, consultants are hired when a problem is identified that is beyond the scope of an organisation. There will be some people who will argue that the reverse is now taking place: a consultant is hired and problems are identified for him or her to solve.

Mr. Hodgson has already indicated that Dr. Brown would be paid on an hourly basis, as opposed to being given a salary, and that he would be used on specific projects for which overseas consultants would have been used in the past.

Mr. Hodgson added: "I'm sure there will probably be particular things we will still have to go outside for, but the breadth of Dr. Brown's expertise is such that, as a first-stop shop, he is excellent.'' Dr. Brown, as a long-time PLP activist and one-time MP, must take care to avoid any impression that this is a political appointment or that his recommendations and reports are politically motivated.

If those conditions are satisfied, then Bermuda will benefit from the contributions of one of its prodigal sons.