Cabinet ministers with conflicting business interests. His comments came amid speculation that newly appointed Transport Minister the Hon. Wayne Furbert could have a conflict of interest as a shareholder in one of the Island's two airport transportation services. Mr. Furbert owns ten percent of shares in Bermuda Hosts Ltd., which he also co-founded. "These conflicts of interest are a serious flaw in the appointments the Premier has made,'' Mr. Wade said.

"They are a thorn in the side of the Country.'' Ministers, he claimed, should divest themselves of their business interests before accepting Cabinet appointments. "It is really bad for the Country,'' he said. "They shouldn't do both. The Premier should find out these things first before making appointments.'' His accusation came in the wake of Opposition Party criticism that Tourism Minister the Hon. David Dodwell also has a conflict of interest as president of local hotel the Reefs Beach Club.

But Mr. Furbert claimed he was just a small shareholder in the business and played no active part in its day-to-day running.

"There may be a perceived conflict but it is a very minor one,'' he said.

"People have to judge me by the decisions I make. I will make my decisions as fair as possible.'' As yet he said, he had not decided whether to keep the shares or give them to a family member. He added: "I don't have to make any decision on that at all''.

Bee Line Transportation owner Mr. Harrison Simons laughed yesterday when asked if he was concerned by the appointment.

"Wayne Furbert will make a wonderful minister. I know he will do the right thing for all transportation services in Bermuda. I have no problem with him.'' Yesterday Mr. Furbert brought good news for the taxi industry when he outlined some of his priorities as Transport Minister.

One of his first tasks would be to meet with the Bermuda Taxi Federation which has complained that growing Government competition is hurting the taxi industry.

"It will be one of the first things I do,'' he said. "I want to address some of their problems right up front and look at them very closely.'' Airport operations would be another point of focus. In particular Mr. Furbert want to look at ways of cutting costs and making the Airport less of a burden on the taxpayer and more "self-subsidising''.

Mr. Furbert has also pledged to review old transportation recommendations, in particular how to reduce the amount of traffic on the roads.

"We may have to make some hard decisions in the best interests of the Country,'' he declared.

As the number of houses in Bermuda mushrooms, so does the traffic problem. It was therefore time to review some of the controls over vehicle ownership, he warned.

But first, he said, the people of Bermuda would have to "buy into'' the idea.

"The Ministry will be as open to proposals as possible,'' he said. "We will be looking for feedback.'' Dill elected Deputy Premier: Page 2; More on Cabinet, Page 5 .