Premier Jennifer Smith welcomed news that her Government is riding the crest of a wave of popularity.

She said: "I can say we're encouraged and we will strive to continue to keep that kind of confidence in the Government.'' But she admitted more work had to be done to win over some sectors of the population after a new survey showed her Government was markedly more popular with black people than with white.

The survey showed that more than eight out of ten Bermudians were happy with the first few months of the new Government.

One of the factors cited by the survey was the PLP's first Budget in February, also backed by more than eight out of ten respondents.

Ms. Smith -- currently in the United States -- was speaking after a survey reported last week that most Bermuda residents approved of the way the PLP had handled power.

Ms Smith said that the three-month mark results had been favourable -- and that the latest figures continued that trend.

The survey results, however, showed that there is still a marked black/white divide in support for the PLP, despite the PLP's election-winning manifesto, which included a pledge to be the party for all Bermudians.

A total of 28 percent of black people expressed "complete'' satisfaction with the new Government, compared to only two percent among white people.

And on the Budget, strong approval was also most likely to be shown by black people (14 percent) than white people (five percent).

She said: "It's not surprising -- we will continue to work to gain confidence among all sectors of the community.

And she dismissed a minority of six percent who strongly or generally dissaproved of the Budget -- according to the survey, because it was not different enough from a UBP Budget or because it was "proposing to spend in the wrong areas.'' Ms Smith pointed out that the 81 percent who backed the Budget did so for a variety of reasons -- some because it was "no big change'' from the previous UBP Government, some because there were no new taxes and others because they felt it focused on social issues like education and housing.

And Ms Smith insisted the PLP would not be stampeded into change for the sake of it.

She said: "I think our approach is one where change is gradual -- the changes we make are both planned and deliberate.'' The survey results were compiled from among more than 400 residents by Total Marketing and Communications in association with overseas pollsters Corporate Research Associates.

The polling firms claim an accuracy rate within plus or minus 4.9 percent for a sample of this size.