or not, in the end, we will have a referendum so that Bermudians can have their democratic say.

All sorts of very confusing political movement took place when the matter of an inquiry into Independence was before the House of Assembly and the Senate.

We do not think that the uncertainty created by the divisions over Independence is in the best interests of Bermudians or of Bermuda's international business clients. Stability is the essence of success in the business world and confusion over Independence does not add to Bermuda's image as a stable island.

We recognise that there are strong emotional divisions whenever Independence is mentioned and that there are people who would like to see the subject disappear in a puff of smoke never to be mentioned again. It is not that simple. We think there are determined people in favour of Independence who will not let it slip away quietly. We also think it is bad for the climate of the Country to allow such an important issue to go on unresolved.

Surely the UBP Government would want a resolution to this problem. Many of those people opposed to Independence are normally UBP supporters but right now they are angry at the UBP because they see the party hierarchy as supporting Independence. To be fair to Premier Sir John Swan, no matter what his personal views are, he has not supported Independence for Bermuda and has only said that we should consider the subject and make a decision by referendum.

We feel quite strongly, and we think surveys show us, that the majority of Bermudians do not agree with the idea of Independence for Bermuda at this time. We believe our own poll which showed the majority was clearly opposed to Independence.

However, and the however is very important, an overwhelming majoritry of the people were in favour of more information on the subject and a majority was in agreement with the idea of a referendum on Independence. We think the people want to have their say, either to move to Independence or to put the issue to rest for now, one way or the other. If the issue is left unresolved it will fester.

Right now there is little indication of where the Government's thinking is on how Bermuda is now to approach the subject. We think the people ought to know.

The House of Assembly adjourns on Friday for the summer recess until November.

This newspaper does not think that Bermuda should go until November without information. It is too unsettling to wait and wonder.