dramatic U-turn from his previous stance.

The Bermuda Chamber of Commerce president now claims the January 4 holiday will hit businesses hard.

It contrasts with his statement shortly after the PLP Government announced the holiday to celebrate the party's General Election triumph.

"The Island is generally slow at that time -- generally business is slow,'' he told The Royal Gazette then. "The impact will be as little as it could possibly be.'' After telephone calls from Chamber members Mr. Smith has decided the holiday will have a big impact on businesses after all, and has fired off a two-page letter to Premier Jennifer Smith.

In the letter dated December 3, Mr. Smith criticised Government for not consulting with business organisations before declaring the date of the holiday. Businesses that have to stay open on the day would have to spend extra money on holiday pay, he wrote.

"We do not expect that anything can be done at this stage to alter the date, but we have had such a high volume of calls from members expressing their views that we felt it necessary to write and pass on their concerns,'' he stated.

Mr. Smith noted January 4 was the first trading day of the Euro, the new European currency, and companies would require staff on hand to deal with the financial markets. Retailers were considering staying open so as not to lose an important trading day when they traditionally held post-Christmas sales, he added.

"This is a very serious issue to many retail businesses that are struggling to survive,'' he stated.

Those in the accounting profession would also be affected by losing a day at a critical year-end period.

"We accept that your announcement on the podium in the throes of victory required that you follow through very quickly,'' Mr. Smith stated.

"Appreciating that you had many other factors to consider in selecting the date for the holiday, this may have been one of the only feasible dates.

"Regardless, we feel that you should be aware of the difficulties that the holiday will cause.'' PLP holiday under attack He reminded Premier Smith of the PLP election pledge to consult with business.

The Island's businesses "large and small, will hope, in the future, to be allowed to play a more proactive role in an open and consultative Government decision-making process,'' he stated.

Mr. Smith was off the Island and could not be reached for comment on how the letter had been received by Premier Smith.

In an interview yesterday Finance Minister Eugene Cox defended the holiday stating that it was meant to mark a historic event in the development of democracy in Bermuda.

He said the majority of people and many businesses in Bermuda supported the declaration of the holiday.

"We had a historical event that took place,'' Mr. Cox said. "The PLP Government came to power after being out in the wilderness. The people of Bermuda became mature...The cost element is there. But the people of Bermuda and business people are prepared to accept it.'' PLP holiday under attack He reminded Premier Smith of the PLP election pledge to consult with business.

The Island's businesses "large and small, will hope, in the future, to be allowed to play a more proactive role in an open and consultative Government decision-making process,'' he stated.

Mr. Smith was off the Island and could not be reached for comment on how the letter had been received by Premier Smith.

In an interview yesterday Finance Minister Eugene Cox defended the holiday stating that it was meant to mark a historic event in the development of democracy in Bermuda.

He said the majority of people and many businesses in Bermuda supported the declaration of the holiday.

"We had a historical event that took place,'' Mr. Cox said. "The PLP Government came to power after being out in the wilderness. The people of Bermuda became mature...The cost element is there. But the people of Bermuda and business people are prepared to accept it.'' CLUB CLB