Governor Lord Waddington yesterday.

Mr. President and Members of The Senate: Mr. Speaker and Members of the Hon. House of Assembly: As Bermuda approaches the year 2000, it becomes increasingly apparent that steady, experienced hands will be needed to ensure that the country can meet the many challenges it will face in the next century.

Preparing for the challenges of the 21st Century will be the basic objective of Government over the coming year. This new Parliamentary Session will be marked by a series of forward-looking programmes designed to prepare Bermudians for tomorrow's economy while, at the same time, preserving and promoting those fundamental family values that have served Bermuda so well in the past.

Fortunately, Bermuda can approach the new millennium in the full realisation that we are building on a solid record of achievement by the Government and people of Bermuda over the past two decades. With careful planning and skilful execution, backed by hard work and commitment, Bermudians can look forward to the next century with confidence and optimism.

The progress made to date will provide a springboard to even greater achievements in the future as Government pursues its commitment to advance the peace, prosperity and welfare of these Islands.

Mr. President and Members of The Senate: Mr. Speaker and Members of The Hon. House of Assembly: The past year has seen a steady and gratifying reduction in the overall level of crime. However, Government is gravely concerned about the mindless acts of violence by a few which threaten the very fabric of our society. Hence, Government will further strengthen the Bermuda Police Service in manpower, training and equipment to increase the levels of public safety and security for everyone in these Islands, be they local residents or visitors.

In addition to putting more Police officers on the streets, considerably strengthening the Narcotics Section and the addition of sophisticated, high-tech equipment for the Police, Government will introduce stronger legislation to curtail criminal behaviour. Every reasonable step will be taken to enable the Police to bring to justice those whose actions adversely affect our community. Government fully appreciates that our economic survival demands no less than a total commitment to shutting down places where drugs are sold and stamping out crime and the use of illicit drugs in Bermuda.

Legislation will be introduced to increase penalties for those who possess or sell drugs in or near schools or youth or community centres to enforce drug-free zones around these sensitive areas.

During this Session, Government will introduce a Proceeds of Crime Bill which will greatly strengthen the existing powers of the Police to seize the assets of those convicted of drug-related crimes, money laundering and similar offences. This law will be directed at those who engage in activities that threaten our economic and social stability, regardless of these individuals' station in our community.

The reduction in the amount of drugs coming into the Island, a campaign to educate the population against the evils of drugs, not just illicit drugs, but also alcohol and tobacco, and the provision of rehabilitation programmes, will be a major focus of Government's attention in the coming year. Working with the National Drug Commission, Government will establish a drug recovery facility. This facility will enable the National Drug Commission to assist recovering addicts in their quest to become drug-free, productive members of our community. Government is determined to promote initiatives that will equip every Bermudian to meet the challenges of the 21st Century and the eradication of drugs and crime will be critical to achieving that goal. These steps will give all Bermudians a better chance to take advantage of the opportunities of the next century.

The results of a recent independent review will form the basis for actions that strengthen the operations of the Prison Service. Steps will be taken to improve the deployment of staff and provide a more appropriate mix of incarceration, rehabilitation and training opportunities with the objective of reducing the level of repeat offenders.

Legislation is to be brought forward to strengthen the law related to alcohol impaired driving and the roadside breath-testing of suspected impaired drivers. It is further intended to implement mandatory counselling for impaired drivers.

Government intends to place before Parliament a Green Paper with proposals to improve traffic conditions and behaviour on our roads.

Government will be working with the churches and community groups in a determined effort to support and strengthen the family unit. Government will build on the work done thus far, such as the creation of a Family Court, the establishment of marriage counselling and conflict resolution seminars, and programmes to reduce violence in the home.

Violence in the home is of great concern to Government. A functioning family unit is of critical importance to the stability of this Island, and violence against women and children, either physical or mental, is abhorrent and must be stopped.Accordingly, legislation will be introduced this Session that will make domestic violence a criminal offence.

During this Session, Government will also introduce a Stalking Bill which will give relief to the victims of this anti-social activity. Moreover, Parliament will be asked to debate and provide guidance on the recommendations of the Task Force on Child Abuse. In seeking to strengthen the family unit and to protect children at risk, Government will initiate discussions within the business community to explore the merits of more flexible working hours for the parents of school children.

Further, Government will be examining the feasibility of instituting tougher new penalties for those convicted of offences against women, children and visitors.

The Report of the Task Force which reviewed the Status of Women in Bermuda will be presented to Parliament for its consideration. A Code of Conduct for the Elimination of Discrimination and the Promotion of Equality of Women in the Workplace will be tabled.

The successful restructuring of the Island's education system moves into its next phase as Government begins to establish boards of trustees for all Government schools, starting with the middle schools. These plans, which allow for greater community involvement in the running of Bermuda's schools, will have a positive effect on the education of our children, from increased teacher accountability to the elimination of drugs in our schools.

The new school curriculum, while concentrating on the traditional academic subjects, will include courses intended to provide an even stronger emphasis on skills preparation for the next century. Technical training and computer skills will be introduced in the early stages of primary school and continued through the middle and secondary levels on to Bermuda College.

Government realises that sophisticated technical and computer skills are essential for all children coming out of the school system if they are to be successful in the 21st Century job market. Therefore, high-tech hardware and software, including access to the Internet, will be provided to every school and teachers will be highly trained to provide continued progressive instruction. Computers in schools will assist students in every way, from early reading and mathematical development through to private individualised study.

In the coming year, Government will expand upon the partnerships that have been developed between local businesses and individual schools with the objective of reinforcing the connection between a sound education and career choice and future success in employment.

There continues to be concern about the behaviour of a small percentage of students who are disrupting the studies of the majority. Building on the recently introduced Code of Conduct, courses are now being held for principals and teachers in the early identification and control of students with behavioural difficulties. A range of behaviour management strategies, including the removal of such students to other classroom sites, will be explored. Government will not allow the education of the majority, so critical to the future economic well-being of the country, to be jeopardised.

The Bermuda Police Service, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, will implement a Police School Liaison Scheme this year. The scheme will involve five police officers who, working with a group of schools, will attend school assemblies as well as staff and PTA meetings on a regular basis.

Government recognises that training does not stop following the end of formal education. Indeed, in the 21st Century, training at all levels must be life-long if Bermudians are to be successfully employed in a complex and competitive society. A National Training Bill is to be introduced in this Session. A National Training Board will be created to ensure that opportunities are available to provide Bermudians at every educational level with the necessary skills -- especially computer skills -- which will enable them to gain meaningful employment.

As demonstrated by the establishment of the recently created Department of Labour and Training and the newly opened Apprenticeship and Training Centre at Bermuda College, Government is committed to the provision of gainful employment for all Bermudians. Appreciating the need to find a balance between the reasonable aspirations of Bermudians and the needs of business, Government recognises its obligation to aim for the full employment of trained and qualified Bermudians. Accordingly, Government will be broadening the current procedures which attach training commitments to the granting of work permits.

The objective will be the enhancement of the training of Bermudians while not adversely affecting the viability of the company itself.

Long-term residents, many of whom have made major contributions to Bermuda, have understandable concerns about their overall job security. Government will, therefore, be bringing a Green Paper forward in this Session as a prelude to legislation aimed at resolving this dilemma in the most equitable manner. Government also intends to introduce legislation that will remove all remaining vestiges of discrimination based on a person's sex from Bermudian status laws.

It is generally accepted that Bermuda's health care system is very good and the envy of many countries. Nevertheless, it is recognised that adjustments to the system are desirable to ensure that it continues to deliver first-rate and affordable services into the next century. Sensible changes to the system will evolve from the recent recommendations of the Health Care Review Committee. Of great concern is the need to enhance health care provisions for the elderly.

Parliament will be considering that Report in this Session.

To prepare for the next century, when an increasing number of Bermudians will be entering retirement, Government will introduce legislation based on the National Pensions Green Paper. The legislation will be designed to improve pension provisions for Bermudians and to facilitate the transfer of pension rights from job to job and to ensure a living wage on retirement.

Following the smooth transfer of Bermuda International Airport from the U.S.

military to Bermudian control, Government is concentrating its efforts on the strategic development of the former base lands. Plans call for a balanced use of the land that encompasses tourism development, a business and technology park, new light industry, open and community spaces, recreational areas and a land bank for future generations. Government believes that the future well-being of Bermuda depends, to a large degree, on the careful development and phased integration of these lands back into the community.

Concluded in Monday's newspaper STEPPING OUT -- Former Premier Sir John Swan and Opposition MP Renee Webb share a joke on the way to the Senate for the Throne Speech LORD AND LADIES -- Lord Waddington yesterday took a few moments after the Speech from the Throne to chat with students from Francis Patton Primary School.