parliamentary candidates he is dissatisfied with their canvassing, The Royal Gazette has learned.

And he told party officials at a United Bermuda Party caucus two weeks ago that he will almost certainly take the Country to the polls well in advance of February, 1994 when Parliament's life ends.

The announcement, made in what was reported to be a stormy caucus meeting, is the clearest indication yet that the Premier is actively considering calling a general election.

It is understood that Sir John also criticised Transport Minister the Hon.

Ralph Marshall in front of the caucus for failing to act on problems at the Civil Air Terminal, warning that if they were not resolved they could become an electoral liability.

It is not clear whether Sir John, who has traditionally called early elections, will go to the polls before Christmas despite speculation that he may dissolve Parliament late next month or in November.

Last Thursday, Sir John told MPs and new candidates that he was not happy with the level of canvassing taking place in constituencies.

"He told everyone he was not convinced they were canvassing as hard as they said they were,'' a UBP source said. "He said that long before February, 1994 he will call an election, so he told them to get busy.'' The source said Sir John later criticised Mr. Marshall for failing to deal with problems with taxi drivers and a vegetable seller at the Civil Air Terminal.

Another source said the vegetable seller was told to leave the airport by Civil Aviation Department authorities, but the caucus had recommended that the order be revoked because of concerns that it was unfair.

There were also concerns that the dispute, if unresolved, could become an issue in the upcoming St. George's South primary because the seller was from St. David's Island.

The Premier's rare outburst -- which sources said was almost unprecedented in caucus -- seemed to indicate that he is seriously considering an election date and is concerned about the UBP's preparedness.

An informal survey of UBP officials over the last few weeks showed they were divided over the wisdom of calling an election soon.

Supporters of an election point to the fact that the UBP will very soon have all of its candidates lined up while the Opposition Progressive Labour Party appears to be further behind and has not named candidates for several key marginal constituencies.

Premier hints at early election. With the US economy still mired in recession with little improvement expected in the next 12 months, it seems unlikely that the UBP will be able to use an economic recovery as a springboard into an election campaign. The supporters also said that if party polls now underway indicate the majority of voters believe the UBP is the best party to manage the economy -- which is likely to be a major election issue -- it would make sense to go to the polls sooner rather than later. UBP polling has intensified in recent weeks, with polls being conducted on a national level and in key marginals. Those opposed to an early election say that the economy and unemployment continue to be too severe to safely call a general election. They also said the UBP still has to develop a coherent philosophy which would be attractive to the voters. It must also end internal bickering -- highlighted by the current dispute over tourism policy -- in order to present a united front at the polls, sources said. "We would be lunatics to go to the polls before the spring of next year,'' one backbencher said.