former Speaker he says was a racist.

Mr. Reginald Burrows was cautioned by Speaker the Hon. Ernest DeCouto after he threatened to remove a portrait of Sir Reginald Conyers from the wall of the chamber.

And a United Bermuda Party MP accused him of inciting trouble. The former Speaker "by all standards was considered a racist,'' and his portrait should not hang in the chamber, Mr. Burrows told the House during the Motion to Adjourn late Friday night.

Trade Union founder Dr. E.F. Gordon "went to Sir Reginald Conyers' funeral to make sure he was in the grave and buried,'' he said. "There are some other portraits that could be in that particular place, because we are running out of space in this chamber.

"When I come back after Christmas, if that portrait is still there, I'm going to take it down...and then suffer the consequences,'' Mr. Burrows said.

Sir Reginald left money to Port Royal School on condition it remain for whites only, Mr. Burrows said later.

But the Progressive Labour Party MP said he would heed a request from Mr.

DeCouto, who told Mr. Burrows he was the caretaker of portraits which "are really the property of this honourable House.'' He invited Mr. Burrows to meet with him after the holiday "to fully document his concern...before he takes anything in his own hands.'' Government MP Mrs. Grace Bell told the House she was "more than a little disturbed'' by Mr. Burrows' comments, because he "has been one of the fairest PLP members.

"I hope the electorate in this Country is listening,'' she said. "It sounded sinister -- more than sinister.

"As we try to discuss the eradication of racism, that sort of speech could be the catalyst for another type of behaviour in this country that I think all members of this House would hope has been pushed into the past.'' She had already heard reports of "reverse racism,'' in which whites were subjected to "racial invective'' from other motorists, she said.

WARNING OVER WATER SPOUTS WEA Warning over water spouts Weather forecasters are warning of possible water spouts and thunderstorms today.

A smallcraft warning was posted at 7.30 p.m. yesterday and is expected to end at noon today.

Winds have been forecast at 20 to 25 knots with gusts up to 40 knots. A spokesman warned of the possibility of waterspouts in and around thunderstorms.

Seas inside the reef are expected to reach six feet with seas outside the reef between 10 and 13 feet.