unprecedented effort to settle the dispute between the Bermuda Industrial Union and Bermuda Forwarders.

Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade and National Liberal Party leader Mr.

Gilbert Darrell joined Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan in a plan for a "just and equitable solution'' to the dispute.

"During the last few days, the leaders of all three political parties have given several assurances to the people of Bermuda that they would be working diligently to find a method of resolving the dispute between Bermuda Forwarders and the BIU,'' they said in a joint statement last night.

"In a democracy, when all else fails, we must examine the legislative route to see if we can introduce legislation that will allow a just and equitable solution to be found.

"The Government has spent much of today reviewing the current legislation and it now intends to produce a draft bill which, we believe, will allow both parties to get this matter resolved finally, fairly and equitably.

"The leaders of all three political parties have agreed, in principle, to put this legislation through the House of Assembly tomorrow (Friday) and the Senate on Monday.'' The statement followed a flurry of activity at the Cabinet Office where the Premier and top Ministers met with delegations from the Progressive Labour Party and the NLP.

The legislative plan is believed to have been hatched during preceding days as Government sought a solution to the industrial dispute that has rocked the Island.

It is understood the plan was backed in principle by the PLP and NLP, though deliberations bogged down in detail and even caused a last-minute cancellation of the 6.45 announcement last night by the Premier. The legislation to be put before the House this morning will enable the Labour Minister "if he thinks fit'' to refer any dispute that exists outside of an essential industry to a tribunal for a binding settlement.

The legislative agreement, one insider said, was driven by concern for the national good.

"Politics ceased to be an issue,'' one said.