expanded policies on tourism, international business and fast food franchises.

It is fair to say that without action against crime and drugs, tourism and international company business will be in serious trouble and there will be little call for fast food franchises which were all but ignored in the speech.

However, declining tourism is a grave concern and the future of international business rests on political stability.

There are signs of new energy in tourism. The Minister never stops working.

Some hotels are refurbishing. Government does understand the need for visitors to be transported about Bermuda sensibly and economically. There are very clear improvements at the Airport in terms of the human welcome, the decoration and, finally, the "Welcome to Bermuda'' sign which this newspaper first asked for seven years ago. There are serious moves to improve the standards and levels of service in the hotels.

But we should not be lulled into false security. The fight to revise tourism is just beginning and still faces the challenge of Cuba. The basic problem is the price of Bermuda's product. We had hoped that the Speech from the Throne would make some attempt to face the price problem. Facing prices is difficult because of high wages and wages which increased out of proportion to inflation. But we should be looking at innovative ways to decrease taxation on visitors.

We had hoped for some statement on the goals for the future of tourism and on how Bermuda will be marketed to protect its quality image. We do note that a new strategic and marketing plan is being developed but we thought the people might be told its aims. Bermuda must avoid blunders like the "Let Yourself Go'' campaign. Aimed rather crudely at sex on sin island, that campaign failed, took Bermuda backward and wasted recovery time because it was too radical a change for a Country which had been promoting quality since the dawn of island tourism.

One other issue is involved with prices. The one constant complaint which this newspaper receives from visitors is the 15 percent automatic gratuity.

American visitors who are not accustomed to automatic tips at home view the 15 percent as gouging and think they are being forced to pay for service which they often view as ordinary.

Promoting safety in Bermuda is helpful to international business but we also thought the speech might indicate that steps would be taken to reassure international business that Bermuda is no longer staggering from the Independence debate and will not do so again under a United Bermuda Party Government.

Bermuda needs an assurance that while drugs and crime are a priority, the Government will also shun things like McDonald's and Independence which cause disruption.