placed him in an untenable position. It makes absolutely no difference that the remarks were supposed to be private. They were not private. They were broadcast to the radio audience listening to the House of Assembly debate.

It is true that, quite correctly, Mr. Smith has written a personal apology to Mr. Trevor Moniz about whom he spoke. However, the principle here is much greater that the abuse he heaped on Mr. Moniz. The principle involves an apparent breach of Cabinet integrity which has cast a shadow over the entire Cabinet. This cannot be corrected by an apology no matter how correct that apology.

Is it an unhappy and unfortunate position for Mr. Smith? Yes.

Was he unexpectedly caught in this lapse? Yes.

Did he think he was having a private conversation? Yes.

But none of that changes the fact his remarks were broadcast and he gave every appearance of using his own power in his Planning portfolio as a threat to a person making a planning appeal to him as Minister. As Minister he sits in judgment in an appeal.

The transcript which was supplied to The Royal Gazette quotes Mr. Smith as saying to backbencher Mr. Irving Pearman: "Trevor Moniz has an illegal house down in Hamilton. He's got an appeal into me for an illegal house. I haven't even looked at it. I said I ain't looking at it for now.'' "I ain't looking at it for now,'' gives every appearance of being a threat not to deal with Mr. Moniz's appeal in a straightforward and proper way but to delay Mr. Moniz's appeal because of his rebellious actions within the United Bermuda Party.

Would that be a misuse of power? Of course it would and Cabinet Ministers have a primary duty not to misuse their power.

Did Mr. Smith plan to misuse his power? No-one, except Mr. Smith, will ever know. All that Bermuda can go on is what was said, albeit during a heated chat, and those statements give every appearance of an intent to misuse his ministerial power.

Clearly the rest of the United Bermuda Party has real problems with "the people's five'' and their refusal to comply with the decisions of the UBP caucus. Also, there may well be problems with Mr. Moniz's house, wherever that house is located because it does not seem to be, as Mr. Smith said, in either the City of Hamilton or Hamilton Parish.

Be that as it may, it is not cause for the Minister of Planning to deviate in any way from normal planning appeal procedures. Any Cabinet Minister must be seen to operate properly, fairly and evenly. Mr. Smith's broadcast statements bring the fairness of his dealings with his UBP colleague into question and create the impression that if Mr. Smith does not like you, then your planning appeal will be delayed.

When that happens, any minister's integrity is in doubt.

We know that the Premier is abroad promoting Bermuda in Hong Kong and also in Tokyo soliciting funds for the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute and Mr. Smith is also off the Island. However, this problem has to be solved before the House of Assembly sits on Friday.

Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade was quoted this week as saying: "I expect Tim Smith to do the right thing.'' We agree with Mr. Wade that Mr.

Smith must resign his Cabinet post.

If he does not resign, the Premier must ask for his resignation from the Cabinet. The UBP, his Paget West branch and the Paget West voters should decide the rest of his political future.