meetings is entirely to be welcomed. Premier David Saul has called them "Boston Town Meetings'' and indeed they do fulfill the spirit of the old New England Town meeting where voters of any stripe could have their say and ask their questions. These town meetings are considered by many people to be the essence of democracy.

For too long the Government of Bermuda has appeared to be removed from the people and out of touch with public thinking. Indeed, during the Independence Referendum Government gave every indication of being estranged from the people. These "town meetings'', indeed the next one is in St. George's, will give the people a chance to question Cabinet Ministers, including the Premier, and Government a chance to both answer and listen. Hearing the people's concerns is very important to any government and we can be thankful that Bermuda is small enough for the people to have direct input. In large countries like the United States, individuals are fortunate if they have any direct say at all and the most they might hope to get is a brief word with a congressman.

In Bermuda it seems that Premier Saul will appear at each of the meetings, in every case accompanied by different Cabinet Ministers, and they will all answer the people. At the first meeting in Hamilton last week, there was in attendance a wide cross section of voters.

Attendance at the meetings is important and a wide cross section of views is also important. The point is to get the concerns of the people out in the open where they can be addressed. Thus attendance is important and questions are important. There is little point in holding these meetings if there is no exchange of points of view.

Giving CURE a fresh start There is already a call for the resignation of the chairman, Mr. Michael Mello, of the new Commission on Unity and Racial Equality. Mr. Mello has been quoted as saying at a news conference that racism is not a "major problem'' in Bermuda. CURE is charged wih ending discrimination and promoting racial and ethnic harmony. Mr. Mello has explained his remark by saying that racism is not such a problem in Bermuda that CURE would be unable to have an impact.

The original remark which is so easily misinterpreted is always unfortunate at the very beginning of a group's work. It does have an impact. It is entirely likely that the public will remember Mr. Mello as chairman of CURE as the man who is running a commission on racial equality but does not think racism is a "major problem''.

That opinion held by the public, especially members of the public whose views need to be looked at, is inevitable and it will colour any approach CURE takes. That is a simple fact which is very difficult to overcome.

It is always best that these commissions start with a "clean slate'' so that they at least begin their work unhampered.

Reluctantly, because we believe that basically he was a very good choice, we think that Mr. Mello should now step aside so that CURE can get a new chair and a clean fresh start.