rally in Victoria Park.

The low turn-out dismayed leaders of the Progressive Labour Party's youth wing.

And chairman Mr. Walter Roban immediately sent out a "get involved'' message to the Island's young.

It was crucial for them to take advantage of the cutting of the minimum voting age to 18, he said.

"Sadly Bermuda has not done enough to educate young people not only that they have the opportunity to get involved, but that they should get involved.'' Mr. Roban said although disappointed, he was not surprised by the attendance.

PLP leader Mr. Freddie Wade said the conspicuous absence of whites highlighted the Island's "tragic'' racial divide.

It demonstrated how little had been achieved in bringing racial harmony.

Mr. Wade suggested young whites may have stayed away under the influence of their parents.

"Racism is a white disease,'' he said.

Last night's rally featured a panel of guest speakers, all PLP members: lawyer Mr. Philip Perinchief, Miss Rene Webb, Dr. Ewart Brown, and local dentist Dr.

Clark Godwin.

The rally's theme, "The Youth Challenge: Who And How Will It Be Addressed'', sparked a wide-ranging debate.

Subjects included race relations, the Police, AIDS, education, and employment.

Mr. Perinchief suggested a rethink of all the laws, to see how they impinged differently on sectors of the community.

Some offences, such as wandering abroad, ought to be struck off the books, he added.