the rhetoric in the recent debate over the roles of Bermudians and expatriates.

On Wednesday night, those who watched the Government-business roundtable on ZBM TV saw just that as Government and business leaders shared their views in a very public forum. If they were unable to come up with any answers, they were at least able to give the public an idea of the challenges which both sides face.

To be sure, both the Government and the business community seemed to be on their best behaviour, and it is unlikely that a meeting behind closed doors would have been as polite.

Nonetheless, open discussion which shows that Government is listening to business and that business is listening to Government can only help to ease the Island's divisions.

If business leaders came away feeling reassured that they are valued and welcomed in Bermuda, and Government came away with a better understanding of the needs of business, then it was time well spent.

More importantly, it should give Bermudians a sense -- sometimes lost in the rhetoric -- that most, if not all, businesses, both local and international, value their Bermudian employees and wish to see them advance and succeed.

Non-Bermudians too, should feel some reassurance that they are welcomed in Bermuda and that most, if not all, Bermudians (including the Government) value their contributions.

As Premier Jennifer Smith noted, Government has a moral responsibility to people who are allowed to stay on the Island for decades; hence the proposal that certain work permit holders should have their time on the Island capped at six or nine years.

But Belco Holdings chief executive officer Garry Madeiros presented a valuable solution to this problem this week; all work permit and work permit renewals should contain riders stating that the holders understand that they will not be entitled to long-term residence. It is then up to the holders to decide whether they wish to remain on the Island for a prolonged period of time.

With those kinds of ideas being discussed in an open and fair way, there is a possibility that good solutions to difficult problems can be found. The round table was a good start.

GIMME SHELTER EDT Gimme shelter Government has been criticised, with some justice, for failing to move quickly on easing the affordable housing shortage.

Now there appears to be some progress, with the news that the Housing Corporation has applied to renovate a derelict building on Union Street for use as emergency housing.

Some may believe that it is shameful that this is only happening now, when the Government, which made housing a major issue before the General Election, has been in power for close to 18 months. Still, any progress is welcomed.

However, there is a risk that emergency housing will become permanent housing; it should be made clear to shelter residents that their stay will be temporary and that they must find other accommodation within a matter of months.