THE recent anonymous letter about asylum seekers - 'We are realists not racists' -- Enfield Independent, March 24, was an echo of an earlier period of British history.

o In the 1930s, many German Jews tried to escape to Britain from Nazi Germany.

o A few thousand were allowed in. Then, as now, self proclaimed realists were outraged at this influx.

o Then, as now, newspapers printed anonymous letters attacking the refugees.

o Similarly in the 1950s and early 1960s, local newspapers printed anonymous letters attacking immigrants from the West Indies, India and Pakistan.

o The pattern is always the same: the anonymous writers claim to be concerned about public services....but they never complain about the taxpayers' money wasted on the monarchy or pointless wars in Iraq or Serbia.

o Be proud, Mr Anonymous -- you're part of a great British tradition!

HOWARD MEDWELL, Fairfield Road, Upper Edmonton.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.