THE IMPORTERS and dealers of used cars are busy trying to protect and defend their industry, to make sure it doesn't die a natural death. However, I'm here in defence of the furniture industry.

Since the much-needed concessions which were granted to the industry in 1994 or so, shortly after the Barbados Labour Party came into leadership, nothing has been done since to sustain or even rejuvenate the struggling, listless, dying furniture industry.

I think we should put some restrictions on the amount of furniture being imported into the country. In most cases the imported furniture is inferior and poor in quality and craftsmanship, when contrasted with the high standards and quality products we're producing here.

We have to ensure that our local furniture industry is sustained, so as to ensure that jobs are kept and a person like me who depends on the industry can continue to put food on the table for self and family. The rate at which furniture is being poured into the country is disgusting and in my opinion [is] product dumping, which every country, including the United States, is closely guarding against.

Barbados is a very small country and we won't survive effectively with the death of the furniture industry or the other local industries that are just as vulnerable and under the same threat of extinction as furniture. Somehow the people in charge don't think this way, so they've opened up the floodgates to whosoever will, in the name of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

After everyone has taken advantage of this (free-for-all) country, and everything it has to offer in the name of CSME, what will happen when the universal, inescapable law of economics comes to account? The answer in short – recession.

I'm well aware of the fact that this country is full of clique groups, aristocrats and fat cats, of all complexions; with full guts, who don't seem to care much about the welfare and future of this country, and so in their opinions, all's well, simply because these people might be satisfied as they feast lavishly off the fatted calf. However, there are plenty others in this country like me who can't get a place in the feeding frenzy, nor care to indulge in such frenzy.

All I'm calling for is a revived and rejuvenated furniture industry. I'm positive this Government can do a lot more for this industry and the other sluggish and ailing ones. Bajans are proud people and don't need handouts, just a fighting chance. Is that too much to ask our caring Government?

Enough is enough. Let's stop the pussyfooting around and save these industries for our posterity.

– LANCELOTT LAYNE