race relations, Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan charged during the motion to adjourn session on Friday night.

"The PLP does not want the subject addressed because once we remove that glass ceiling they have no armour,'' he said.

Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade stated: "We on this side of the House have never used race in our efforts to gain power.'' Earlier Shadow Health Minister Mr. Nelson Bascome began the session by raising the "disturbing matter'' of psychiatrist Dr. Isaac Ewusi-Mensah, whose contract has not been renewed by the hospitals board.

The reason for the decision had not been made clear, said Mr. Bascome. Mr.

Ewusi-Mensah had been overlooked "for many things''. His case would be a test for the new Human Affairs Ministry.

Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness said he would not comment on the case raised by Mr. Bascome because it was "quasi-judicial''.

Dr. Ewart Brown (PLP) unleashed a strong attack on racism and the Government.

"Why does the burden of responding to issues of racism always fall on the black members of the UBP?'' he asked.

"It would be good for this House and good for Bermuda if our white brethren could contribute to this debate.

"They continue to ask the horse about the problems at the racetrack, never asking the jockey.'' The Hon. John Stubbs told Dr. Brown there had been a thrust for racial, economic and social equality while he had been in California.

Bermuda had suffered "barbarity'' in common with other places in its history.

But the UBP had a consistent track record in promoting racial integration.

The PLP were "mesmerised by the substantial majority of blacks in the electorate. That's the bottom line.'' Opposition leader Mr. Frederick Wade charged the Premier had "just discovered the so-called glass ceiling''. And he wanted to know "just who put it there?'' Mr. Wade said he gloried in the spirit of Human Affairs Minister the Hon.

Jerome Dill and admired his enthusiasm and energy in tackling the job of racism. But he hoped the UBP would assist Mr. Dill in "breaking it (racism) down'' bit by bit.

A PLP government would remove the fear in the minds of whites and blacks who believed they could not enjoy the benefits and opportunities Bermuda had to offer if they "had a particular view''.

Labour Minister the Hon. J. Irving Pearman blasted PLP members for knocking candid comments by Dr. Stubbs, saying they had twisted a sincere discussion on race so that Dr. Stubbs became the victim.

The PLP itself had earlier called on white people to become more involved in the dialogue, he pointed out.

"We talk of blacks, whites and Portuguese -- we must stop it!,'' he said.

"We must see ourselves as citizens and countrymen and start being honest not divisive. And in my opinion, it's done deliberately on occasion.'' Dr. David Dyer (UBP) said the problem was that the PLP could only speak as victims. "Everyone is a victim of racism,'' he said. "We must stop this old Bermudian tradition of holding onto things and remember history for what it can teach us.'' Concluding the debate, Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan called on black people to stop treating each other with contempt -- especially in the House. "That's when the glass ceilings will come down.

"I believe the PLP is disappointed that Government has undertaken to address the subject of race with the appointment of Mr. (Jerome) Dill.

"The PLP does not want the subject addressed because once we remove that glass ceiling they have no armour.'' He said that in 30 years, the PLP had failed to bring any motion to the House to address racism.

As a point of order, deputy Opposition leader Mr. Walter Roberts said he had brought such a motion back in 1963.

The PLP was "deceptive'' and had a hidden agenda,'' Sir John claimed. On the lack of motions to address racism, Sir John said: "They (the PLP) are afraid to use their power because their agenda is to impede the progress of blacks while pretending they are not.''