Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan.

Sir John made his comment at the UBP's "Blueprint and Beyond'' conference at the Southampton Princess on Saturday.

Women's issues were pushed to the forefront when Youth and Sport Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon successfully blocked efforts to cut short a panel discussion on the importance of women in politics. Instead, lunch was delayed.

Sir John later told the conference that without increased participation by women "we are doomed''.

"The only way we're going to save our young men is to save our women,'' he said. "We'll help to solve the racial problem when we help to solve the women problem.'' Ealier, Sandys South chairman Ms Karla DeSousa said she was astounded recently when the all-female UBP entertainment committee was asked to prepare meals for Government MPs when the House of Assembly sat late.

"I do have a suggestion,'' was her reply. "Call 295-5555. Four-Star Pizza delivers.'' Also on Saturday: Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge said he hoped to announce daily American Airlines service to Bermuda from Miami this week.

Health and Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness said Government is studying the community-based North American Neighbourhood Watch programme as a way of addressing crime in Bermuda.

Mr. Woolridge said Government will introduce amendments to hotel legislation to provide increased security.

Transport Minister the Hon. Maxwell Burgess said mandatory drug testing was planned for anyone with a public transport licence -- including bus drivers, ferry operators, and taxi drivers. Hospital blood testing of road accident victims was also planned.

APPEAL TO HLEP SOUTH AFRICA'S SCHOOLS FNR Appeal to help South Africa's schools Spare books, old computers and school supplies could make the difference to desperately under-equipped schools in South Africa.

The Anti-Apartheid Group of Bermuda is appealing to businesses and individuals to support a campaign to send a container of educational material to help schools in that country.

"Schools bore the brunt of the long season of violence that marked the twilight of apartheid,'' said a spokesman. "We are inviting donations of recycled books, texts, fiction and non-fiction. In addition we are encouraging the business sector to recycle computers and offer them to be sent to South Africa.'' The six-week campaign aims to raise an additional $4,000 to cover the cost of shipping the container. Surplus funds will be sent on to the schools.

Books should be delivered to the foyer of the Bermuda College Library. The Anti-Apartheid Group will be making a major drive for book donations on December 9 and 10 to coincide with Human Rights Day.

Money and material collected in Bermuda will be sent to the South African Council of Churches together with supplies from a similar effort by Hampton University in the United States.