Practice will be made mandatory raises serious questions about race relations.

It is not clear how CURE intends to enforce its mandate, or indeed what precisely its mandate is at all. Is it to ensure equal opportunity for all, or is it to have the "workforce composition at all levels reflect the racial demographics in Bermuda''.

Few people would disagree with either ideal. There is no question that the " glass ceiling'' is still firmly in place for both women and blacks.

And it is difficult to disagree with the idea that companies should report the racial make-up of their staffs, although it would be useful if gender was also included.

But putting these ideals into practice is much harder. CURE chairman Carlsen Philip has stated that making companies reflect the Island's racial make-up is its ultimate goal, although he says this can be done without racial quotas.

Yet CURE has said that it will enforce the code and will fine companies up to $25,000 if they do not follow the recommendations given to them.

Employers could be placed in an impossible position. If a racial group is under-represented in a company it only makes good business sense to hire the person from the group -- or gender -- which is underrepresented because a staff which reflects the diversity of the community should be able to serve its customers better.

But all things are rarely equal, and companies may also be placed in the position where they have no applicants for a position from the under-represented group. What do they do then? Look further? Lower the qualifications required for the job? CURE has set itself a major goal which will be difficult to realise in a fair manner which will benefit all. If it is done badly, it could lead to resentment and bitterness and worse race relations, A great deal of care will be required to get it right.

CHANGE OF TUNE EDT Change of tune There is some irony in the fact that at least some Progressive Labour Party MPs may be having second thoughts about the proposed Register of Interests.

For years, PLP MPs rightly assailed conflicts of interest when the United Bermuda Party was in government and UBP backbencher Trevor Moniz's proposal that MPs declare their interests in businesses would have gone some way to at least identifying where the conflicts existed.

In a place as small as Bermuda, it is unlikely that conflicts will ever be completely eliminated. And as long as Parliamentarians also hold other jobs, conflicts will be accepted as inevitable.

But the public should be aware of when a legislator does have an interest.

Because Parliament is accountable for the public good and the public purse, it is vital that the people be informed.

It should then be up to the Speaker of the House or the Senate President to decide whether to disqualify an MP or Senator from voting or speaking on a particular bill.

Government MP Dale Butler argues that if MPs were better paid and had "numerous perks and benefits'', it would then make sense to have a Register.

But it is precisely because MPs do have other business interests that the public needs to know just what they are and whether they will influence how a politician votes.