WELL, we can’t complain that our Prime Minister isn’t talking. He’s been saying a lot of late, even if he’s not answering our questions and is sticking to his own distraction agenda.
First the “Clico list”. The Prime Minister is reported as saying: “I know all the people who earning quick money, who were entranced by the lure of attractive interest rates . . . . I have all of the names,” hinting that the investment might have questionable legal standing. “It is not a traditional insurance product according to legal advice.” If this is so, why did the supervisor of insurance not stop it from being offered in the first place?
Then Mr Stuart raises the well-worn republic issue. As if we need any more upheaval or expense at this time. Next was the “Mount Olympus” and “alternative government” interactions with Sir Hilary Beckles. While I might not agree with Sir Hilary’s view, I can’t see that the remark demonstrated any worse manners than that allegedly made by Minister Chris Sinckler in his “run down Broad Street naked” reference to the Opposition Leader; yet I don’t recall hearing any criticism by the Prime Minister at that time. Then we had what I would consider the “frivolous” yard fowl issue. The Barbadian public has too many important concerns to waste energy on such matters.
I find it odd that the Prime Minister should take offence at a term normally used by all sides to mean “those who toe party lines blindly” and well ensconced in our Bajan vocabulary. Is he not just as offended by other references to livestock – like that of “the bald pooch cat” by Minister Sinckler?
To tell you the truth, though, as an agriculturalist, I find the use of the term “yard fowl” in the sense the Prime Minister is using it to be doing a grave injustice to the real yard fowls (Gallus domesticus), more recently termed “free range birds”, which have faithfully supported Bajans regardless of party affiliation from time immemorial. They’re independent creatures, seeking out their own sustenance in the backyard and certainly not “tied to a rock and waiting on scratch grain”. Anyone who has eaten yard fowl eggs will tell you that they’re superior to those from commercial battery raised hens. In fact, in the United States there’s a trend away from large-scale industrialised farming to healthier backyard farming.
The importance of real yard fowls in our heritage has been so appreciated by businessman Andrew Bynoe that he recently declared March 14 “Yard Fowl Day”. “It is the day Barbadians will be encouraged to display their yard fowls in their many colours, variety of plumage and shapes,” the fowl fancier and brains behind this novel addition to the pride in Barbadian heritage was reported as saying.
He continued: “The yard fowls will reflect a combination of the many breeds in this island. So you’ll get a variety of colours, shapes and sizes of fowls. Interestingly enough, I don’t think that people pay enough attention to the variety of fowl that we have in Barbados. I would therefore like to bring to the attention of the country that we have a strange kind of asset that we have neglected.”
I agree with you, Mr Bynoe, so let’s forget the political distractions and celebrate and protect our heritage.
I’ll now take a leaf out of Sir Henry Fraser’s book and give bouquets to some special people. I know that many are of the view that agriculture is for those not capable of doing anything else, but they’re so wrong. Last week I was involved in harvesting a sugar cane trial aimed at increasing yields of cane and sugar through various biological treatments. The skill of those operating the harvesters and the accompanying tractors and bins transporting the cane is outstanding – special kudos to Victor who has been operating harvesters for 34 years and working in agriculture for 51 years.
Finally, we often complain, quite legitimately, about poor service, but the Auto Rescue service I received from Massy Insurance when I had a flat tyre last week demonstrated efficiency at its best. Anderson arrived promptly and changed the tyre in quick time so that I could be on my way. Such commitment, efficiency and reliability must be commended.
• Dr Frances Chandler is a former independent senator. Email fchandler@caribsurf.com.