comes to Independence. For The Royal Gazette poll shows Bermuda's youth are a pretty conservative lot on the big "I'' issue. Just 13 percent of 18 to 34-year-olds planning to vote in the August referendum favour Independence.

And 61 percent in this age group intend saying "no'' to breaking from Britain. In 1994, the comparative percentages were 20 and 65. In any hunt for Independence champions, Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan is more likely to have success in the 35-44 age group. Here the poll shows 31 percent support Independence, while 52 percent oppose it. After 44, however, Sir John had better forget it. People from late middle-age onwards are keener than ever to stay attached to the motherland. Take the 65 and overs. A crushing 71 percent oppose breaking links, and only 18 percent think otherwise. On one question people of all ages are more or less agreed: they believe the pros and cons of Independence should be explored at this time. But ask them whether they have enough information, and it seems the older Bermudians feel more clued up.

While the majority of those aged between 18 and 54 want more information, the opposite is true for those aged 55 and over. In the 55-64 and 65-plus categories, 57 percent feel sufficiently informed.