Your recent show-biz editorial comments (TMI) on the difference between the attitudes of the Private and Public Sectors should have read as follows:

With one swift movement of his wand the Maestro sets his orchestra in motion. And the music plays and plays until....ZEEEEEEEEKK! One violinist goes astray. Cut! Cut! The instruments come to disjointed halt. The orchestra waits as the conductor pedantically explains to the offending musician that he is on the wrong note, tune...tempo...whatever!

Oh dear, the trumpet man needs to go to the loo, while the saxophonist sneezes a couple of times to signal his impending five day sick leave. Hey, what's the hurry? After all, this is just a recording. We can stop anytime and start all over again. We have all the time in the world to get it just right. The longer it takes, the more overtime gained!

After all, this Maestro is a macro economist...he'll explain our results, or the lack of them, with bombastic oratory. As sure as hell, he'll link this delay to the Asian Economic Crisis; and failing that we are members of the Laurel and Hardy Unions!

My friends, that 's the Public sector in action...or rather inaction!

Now let's compare.

Tick, tick, tick, with one swift movement of the wand the orchestra erupts in blissful melody. The music plays and the new violinist makes sure to get his piece right, the trumpet man forgets the pressure in his bladder, jobs are on the line here!

The orchestra plays on and on and on to a grand finale. Cut! Excellent boys! The tension eases, the maestro wipes the sweat off his brow. He won't make past age 55 without Mr Manche's assistance!

Now that's the private sector, where time and action cost real money. No re-takes!

Take no offence, Sir, that I presumptuously re-wrote your comments. You can take all the credit for originality!