accusing her of a "tax and spend philosophy''.

He said the Progressive Labour Party would have a hard time successfully wooing the business community.

And he accused Ms Smith of being a "good packager'' of a PLP platform without offering anything new.

"It's the same old, same old PLP.'' He added: "Ever since Ms Smith was elected leader, we've heard the business community has nothing to fear from the PLP.

"But it's going to take more than vague promises to convince the business community that the PLP has business interests at heart.'' Sen. Pitman hit out following Ms Smith's speech to the Chartered Institute of Bankers in which she said the PLP was poised to become the Government.

Ms Smith moved to soothe the financial community, telling some 200 bankers at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club that for too long people had held unfair opinions of the PLP based on what outsiders or the media had reported.

She said a PLP Government would create a Ministry of International Business to ensure Bermuda's business climate continued to flourish.

Another PLP priority would be to carry out a review of the entire tax structure, she added.

Sen. Pitman, however, said Ms Smith's promise of a tax review had no substance.

"Ms Smith says the PLP believes that Customs duty, as a consumption tax, puts an unfair burden on the poor. And then she stops.

"But I think most people know that an alternative to a consumption tax is an income tax.

"Governments can tax what people consume or what people earn. The PLP must indicate what their intentions are.'' Sen. Pitman said the United Bermuda Party Government had constantly reviewed the tax structure and made adjustments where appropriate.

And, he stressed, a complete review of the land tax was about to begin.

Sen. Pitman suggested the business community take another look at the PLP election platform from 1993.

The proposals then were still being put forward today -- and all cost money, he said.

"It's a tax and spend philosophy. The PLP's proposed Ministry of International Business probably means a new Permanent Secretary and a Permanent Secretary's salary, not to mention staff.

"This is increasing the size and cost of Government, not reducing it.'' Sen. Pitman also criticised PLP proposals for an unemployment insurance scheme and a "full-scale'' conventions and meetings division of the Ministry of Tourism which would operate in Bermuda and abroad.

"These kinds of proposals are combined with one tax incentive after another.

"Where is the money going to come from? That's the fundamental question the PLP must answer.'' Sen. Pitman was also concerned with reports that PLP canvassers in the Devonshire by-election were talking about the redistribution of wealth.

"It's time for the PLP to come clean.'' Ms Smith yesterday could not be reached for comment.

POLITICS PTL