meeting Government MPs.

The Portuguese Bermudian Organisation met MPs of Portuguese descent, including new Education Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira.

And it is hoping Dr. Terceira will cave into demands to allow young Bermuda-born Portuguese to win scholarships.

This would put them on the same footing as Bermudian teenagers.

The organisation is also fighting for long-time resident Portuguese to be allowed to stay here.

News of the recent meeting has come as the Island's Portuguese community celebrates its national day today.

Portugal's National Day -- Dia De Camoes -- pays tribute to the Country's most renowned poet.

Portuguese Bermudians will attend a cocktail party, and a special Family Day on June 21.

But the celebration will not be for a shift in Government's immigration policy.

Portuguese Bermudian Organisation president Miss Anna Faria did not anticipate any changes before the election.

There was, however, a growing frustration among the young Portuguese, she said.

Until they are 21 they cannot receive status, despite being born on the Island.

This means they cannot get jobs or receive scholarships like Bermudians their own age.

The group want the age restriction brought forward to 18.

"We are continuing to try very hard to bring this about, through lobbying,'' said Miss Faria.

"There is a lot of frustration building up. Teenagers studying abroad cannot get summer jobs when they return here, for instance.'' "And until they are 21 they cannot get scholarships. We want them to be treated the same way as other Bermudian youngsters.

"After all they will all one day be Bermudians so they should be treated equally.'' Miss Faria said she hoped Dr. Terceira would heed the group's plea.

She added the group had also appealed earlier this year to the British Foreign Office to help long-time Portuguese residents here.

"We submitted a 250-page report on Bermuda's immigration policies, including newspaper articles, to give them an idea of the situation.

"So far we have not received a response.'' Miss Faria said she hoped Portugal's National Day would increase unity among the Portuguese Bermudians.

"We need to stick together, and speak with one voice,'' she added.

Miss Faria's predecessor as group president Mr. John Amaral said he had been disappointed by Government's response to the group's stance.

The exodus from the Island of long-time residents had slowed down.

But this, said Mr. Amaral, stemmed from an improvement in Bermuda's economy.

"There hasn't been any change in policy, and I must admit I am a bit disappointed.'' Mr. Amaral said the group wanted a work permit amnesty for Portuguese who had been on the Island 20 or 25 years.

Mr. Luis Bernardo, an architect of Portuguese stock, said he hoped the reviving economy would help Portuguese hotel workers.

"Last year we had a fair exodus of Portuguese from the Island because of the economic downturn.

"I believe there may be an exodus this summer, although on a smaller scale.'' Last night Dr. Terceira said he had noted the concerns of the Portuguese Bermudian Organisation.

And he had also received a letter from its leader.

This, he said, had been passed on to the Board of Education.