Families and environmental issues were in the spotlight at a Progessive Labour Party rally on Wednesday night.

The family unit's importance to the community's well-being and the effect of housing on families were the main topics discussed by a pair of Progressive Labour Party hopefuls and two party stalwarts.

Also addressed during the Family Needs in Focus rally at St. David's Cricket Club were the East End's environmental concerns, particularly relating to the fishing industry and asbestos.

Shadow Environment and Natural Resources Minister Leon (Jimmy) Williams, Shadow Works and Engineering, Parks and Housing Minister Stanley Morton and St. George's South Parliamentary candidates Arthur Pitcher and Wilbur (Larry) Lowe addressed a crowd of approximately 100 during the rally.

Also on hand was Opposition Leader Jennifer Smith who said: "I am very pleased with the turnout, especially considering the weather.'' She noted that Mr. Pitcher's work during the last election -- when he lost by a mere 41 votes -- had helped turn the constituency into a marginal one and the party now planned "to turn it into a PLP seat.'' And she stressed that Rev. Lowe and Mr. Pitcher were the candidates to do that.

Mr. Morton told the audience: "I am here to declare to you that the housing situation in Bermuda for most people is inadequate. When people cry for help there is none coming forth. The PLP will take care of your needs.'' He also heaped scorn on the Bermuda Housing Corporation.

"The Housing Corporation is supposed to be responsible for low cost housing.

Over the last two years it has attempted to bring the levels of rents up to match private industry. This is not good for the people in the low income bracket in Bermuda.'' Rev. Lowe picked up on the theme and focused on the effect housing had on the family.

"Every community, neighbourhood and area of the Country is made up of individual units known as the family. It is the basic fundamental unit and the community is only as strong as the family unit.

"If there is a problem in the community it can be traced back to a problem in the family,'' he argued, focusing on incidents at Harbour Night festivities over the summer and, more recently, at CedarBridge Academy.

"The family should be afforded the basic needs to remain strong and positive in the community.'' This included "comfortable and accessible housing'' which was the right of all people, he said.

"Uncomfortable, unpleasant and unaffordable living conditions directly contribute to the undue pressure and stress experienced in the family and this leads to negative fruit in the community.'' Rev. Lowe said this could be seen in poor student and employee performance.

"If you find a household with parents who are not stressed because of unbearable living conditions then you have a household that will produce good students, good family values and parents who do better in the workplace and better in their parental responsibilities.'' Mr. Pitcher touched on the issue of housing in relation to the Base lands.

He asked the members of the audience if they were the sons and daughters of the original landowners at the former Naval Air Station and if they could remember what Government told them when it took their land.

"If it ever comes back to us, you will have preference to purchase it,'' he said they were told.

"Does a responsible Government keep you in the dark? They took it from you once, they should have the decency to let you know what is happening.'' Mr. Williams said people used to talk about St. David's and its fish and it bothered him to see "fishermen treated the way they are today by the Government.'' He highlighted the case of Jack O'Connor and Leslie Pitcher who broke the law by having an illegal fish pot and were fined $1,000.

"They got out of court and the Minister, John Irving Pearman, then removed their licences taking away their livelihood.'' He said he had asked Government to turn over a section of Marginal Wharf to the fishermen to help establish a fishing industry.

"Don't let anyone tell you that we cannot create a fishing industry on the Island,'' he warned.

The issue of asbestos was also tackled by Mr. Williams.

"What concerns the PLP now and should concern every Bermudian is asbestos.

They are talking about dumping containers of asbestos into the ocean just off here,'' he said, pointing to the sea north of the cricket ground.