Transport Minister the Hon. Maxwell Burgess was incorrectly referred to as a Shadow Minister in a report on Tuesday on an Independence forum.

More than 80 Bermudians last night were urged to beware the Independence dream being weaved by Government.

Shadow Labour Minister Mr. Alex Scott warned a public meeting: "Having a dream and being a dreamer are two separate things.'' Mr. Scott said Bermuda needed to "stop and think'' about the Independence Government would lead the Country to.

And he repeated the Progressive Labour Party's call for people to abstain in the proposed Independence referendum.

Later, former deputy Governor Mr. Peter Lloyd spoke of the need for built-in Constitutional safeguards should Bermuda cut ties with Britain.

He said the Privy Council, judicial appointments and the electoral system were areas of concern.

How could a Government in an independent Bermuda be prevented from arbitrarily removing the right of appeal to the Privy Council? How could the appointments of judges and justices of the peace be made without political interference? And how should the future membership of the Boundaries Commission be decided? Mr. Lloyd, also a former Governor of the Cayman Islands, suggested answers to these questions should be studied by a group representing a wide range of interests.

Among those who should be represented were the trade unions, international business, academics, and lawyers, he said.

Meanwhile, Shadow Transport Minister the Hon. Maxwell Burgess, who supports Independence, hammered out Government's position.

And he told the meeting he believed people had a moral obligation to participate in the referendum.

"I would never do anything to prevent them from exercising that right.'' Also speaking was National Liberal Party leader Mr. Gilbert Darrell.

He said his party backed a referendum, since it was a process outside the realm of politics -- unlike a general election, the method proposed by the PLP.

Last night's meeting was held at the Bermuda Industrial Union headquarters, and was sponsored by the union's education department.

Among those in the audience were PLP leader Mr. Frederick Wade, Shadow Minister of Cultural Affairs Mr. Leon (Jimmy) Williams, Shadow Tourism Minister Mr. David Allen, BIU president Mr. Ottiwell Simmons, and UBP senator Larry Scott.

Mr. Burgess, the first speaker, said he believed Independence would have a unifying effect on Bermuda.

"I believe it will bring about a sense of spirit and a sense of oneness that will take this Country into the year 2000.'' Mr. Burgess said too many young black males felt they did not have a stake in the current Bermuda.

This would change with a new spirit brought on by nationhood.

As for the argument international businesses would take flight, Mr. Burgess said he was not impressed.

The first quarter of 1994 saw records being broken in the number of international companies putting down roots here.

Mr. Burgess went on to urge Bermudians not to be "hoodwinked'' by "red herrings'' put forward by the PLP as reasons not to vote in the referendum.

These included arguments that the national stadium had not yet been built.

Mr. Scott said Independence was a passionate dream of many. But Bermudians had to be practical in realising it.

No other former British dependent territory had achieved Independence through a referendum.

They had preferred to choose the general election route as espoused by the PLP.

Mr. Scott said Bermudians had to be clear what type of Independence they would be voting for.

What would it mean for citizenship, and the electoral system? Mr. Darrell and Mr. Lloyd preferred Bermuda to move towards Independence through political consensus.

Mr. Lloyd pointed out it was not for him to suggest how Bermudians should vote.

After all, he did not have status and would not take part in the referendum.

"By choice I have remained a guest in your country.'' But Mr. Lloyd urged Bermudians to be careful in weighing up the pros and cons of Independence.

For instance, they should be suspicious of those who shot down arguments that some former dependent territories were now military dictatorships, and had corrupt politicians.

This was a fact.

Nevertheless, Bermudians should be suspicious if told such a fate awaited their country.

Bermuda was far more prosperous, and had a better educated electorate than these former dependent territories, he said.