THIS YEAR WE CELEBRATE the 43rd anniversary of our Independence, and it hurts me to see the path being taken to return us to the old colonial order of yesteryear.

I am well acquainted with the struggles of the fathers to free us. The big powers have never accepted the independent Third World (so-called) countries as equals. Although it was obvious that the colonies would gain their freedom, the process came as a shock to the colonial powers.

For some time they seemed stunned by that shock, but it has not taken long for them, now led by the United States, to recover. And since they have recovered, we are experiencing a very subtle change coming over the world, rather dangerous change, which is that colonialism - open, frank colonialism - has given way to neocolonialism.

Neither colonialism nor racialism has vanished. The old comes back in new guise. Therefore the difficulties before us are still very great. And we can face them not merely by idealism, nor merely by sentimentalism, but by clear thinking and hard-headed analysis of the situation. The need of the hour is for quality leadership- men of substance, stature, knowledge, commitment and dedication.

There are subtle intrigues to undermine our freedom, recapture our country, and to sow dissension and mutual distrust amongst us. Powerful vested interests, domestic and foreign, are combining and erecting new structures of neocolonialism.

Today the colonialism is of a new kind, the economic variety. The constant pressure exercised on those who are weak but who are susceptible to such pressure. I do not mean that you give in, but the conditions are such that pressure can be exerted.

We have to resist the constant efforts to create difficulties for people and governments who resist that type of pressure and who would like to keep their independence of action.

The dangers can be combated by our united effort, even if great sacrifices are required, in our adherence to the basic tenets of democracy.

Only a cultured, well-bred and patriotic people would be willing to suck salt before they surrender their freedom, violate their conscience and abandon their principle.

The southern, western and north-western coastlines have been taken over by foreign interests, and beach access is becoming more difficult everyday for Barbadians.

Our plantations are being taken over for golf courses, polo grounds and manors for the rich and famous. Barbados is now being developed as a playground for the rich and the famous at the expense of our peace and security and common good.

All this rape, through the policies of an indifferent political directorate, is creating in Barbadians a vengeance which is going to express itself in a manner worse than 1937 unless there is a change of direction for the common good.

- GORDON MATTHEWS