ERROR RG P4 22.8.1997 A story in Thursday's paper incorrectly stated that National Liberal Party chairman Charles Jeffers was the guest speaker at Hamilton Rotary Club. He was speaking to Hamilton Lions.

The leader of the Island's third political party yesterday heralded the advantages of "radical change'' and offered a glimpse of his future vision of Bermuda.

National Liberal Party leader Charles Jeffers told Hamilton Rotary Club yesterday that political change headed his list of things that needed improving.

"I am an agent for change, not for the sake of change, but change for the better,'' he said. "I include politics high on my list of things which should be dramatically changed.

"I am totally frustrated hearing declarations of what we cannot do in Bermuda. I am tired of hearing that Bermudians are not prepared to change and that we are too small to accommodate political change which other countries have embraced.'' Mr. Jeffers said that instead of tinkering with existing practices, it would be better to get rid of the old methods and bring in radical change.

"I say there is a lot broken that needs to be fixed,'' he said. "In fact, in my opinion, we should not even spend time fixing some of these things that are broken. This is a new day, let's do things in a new way.'' He added: "That's the kind of thinking that we need in Bermuda to carry us into the future.

"We need men and women who are prepared to stand up with courage and conviction and be counted.'' Mr. Jeffers also outlined what he would like to see take place in Bermuda, in the near future.

Foremost on his "wish list'' was the creation of a training scheme.

"My wish is to see appreciable sums spent on making sure that our well educated young people get opportunities to gain experience as trainees both at home and abroad,'' Mr. Jeffers said.

He said firms which brought in foreigners should be required to hire Bermudian trainees.

And he also called for the establishment of a training fund to help small businesses train locals.

Mr. Jeffers said he would like to see locals controlling the hiring and firing practices of companies, forcing the Immigration Minister to deem human resource positions a closed category for non-Bermudians.

"My wish is to hear the Minister state that human resource positions are becoming closed categories within the next 12 months and that there will be no more permits renewed for those positions after the year 2000, except in exceptional circumstances.'' Mr. Jeffers also called for a "special facility'' to house troubled young Bermudians.

"I wish to see a special facility, designed to accommodate our troubled and sometimes troublesome young people for a period of time,'' he said. "I envision this as a place where discipline, building of self esteem, preparation for the work force and mentoring are the orders of each and every day.'' Charles Jeffers