LEADER of the Opposition and Political Leader, Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP)
It was with deep sadness that the Political leader, Executive and Members of the Saint Lucia Labour Party received news of the death of Mr. Eldon Mathurin.
It has been said that the great difference between the real statesman and the pretender is that the former sees into the future whilst the latter regards only the present.
Eldon Mathurin was a statesman and in all that he did, whether personally or for the community, his ultimate goal was always the betterment of the country.
It is because of these qualities that my Party had no objection to his appointment as Chairman of the Salaries Review Committee. He approached that task with fairness, firmness and a deep sense of appreciation of the responsibility with which he had been entrusted.
Eldon was also a regionalist and spoke with a passion about the need for the wider Caribbean to become one nation or at the very least, act as one nation. It is sad that he would have passed away before seeing that deepening of the integration which he so eloquently and tirelessly pursued.
I recall that as a school boy I also knew Mr Mathurin when he lived on Water Works Road and later my many discussions with Eldon, particularly during my tenure as Minister for Tourism.
Eldon was most knowledgeable about the industry and those discussions gave me an even great insight into the inner workings of the industry.
On behalf of the entire Labour family, we extend sincere condolences to the family of the late Eldon Mathurin.
May he Rest in Peace.