The resolve expressed through consistent objections from four or five fast food chains, the Congress of Trade Unions and the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, speaks not only to the protection of profits, but to the safe-guarding of intrinsic qualities of the Barbadian way of life which we treasure and quite unapologetically show off to our visitors.

The opposers also seek to protect one-man food operators who have little clout and no cushion if hurt by the introduction of mega-bucks international fast food chains here.

Granted that local commercial chains have their vested interests to protect, yet what they have created in developing uniquely Bajan fast-food outlets of world-class standards would inexorably be eroded by the proliferation of United States-based franchises which mushroom in virtually every other capital city of the world, bringing lower standards and the use of juniority labour.

The absence of those imported outlets competing for attention along our coastline has the effect of saying we are proud to be different.

The objectors are seeking to protect a marketing domain which they have carefully cultivated – some, like Pizza Man Doc, from very humble beginnings – for over 25 years, and which is reflective of high Barbadian quality and the achievement of international standards of operation.

The most recent application for a licence was from the well-respected Goddard Enterprises Ltd, for the operation of a Subway Sandwiches franchise.

It was interesting to note that an addition to the list of objectors was the latest local chain of fast food restaurants, Café Blue, which itself specialises in the Subway type of sandwich menu.

In 1989, Government amended the Franchises Act in order to close the loopholes which the McDonald's chain had used on more than one occasion in applying to operate here. At that time Government argued that fast food operations, water sports and car hire businesses should remain exclusively local.

We have since been overtaken by World Trade Organisation-inspired trade liberalisation and an amendment to the Treaty of Chaguaramas which prevents any entity outside of the region from getting more favourable treatment than is accorded to members of CARICOM.

Thankfully the Act still provides for objections to be raised by people with legitimate concerns – like local chains with their investments to protect, the unions with jobs to safeguard, and the hotel group with its interest in preserving Barbados' uniqueness.

We support their view that Subway fare is no substitute for our ham-cutters, fish-cutters or cheese-cutters, and that there is no void in the sandwich business which needs urgently to be filled.

Thus there seems to be no necessity for the Ministry of Finance to make way for Subway.