violence if her party is elected to Government.

Ms Smith's Progressive Labour Party held a forum on the problems of violent youngsters at their Alaska House headuarters on Court Street.

The meeting on Thursday followed a spate of recent attacks on buses by students.

And afterwards, Ms Smith told The Royal Gazette her senior party colleagues were already drawing up a major battle plan to clamp down on unruly youths.

She said: "For years, we have watched the current Government ignore various problems or sweep them under the carpet with band-aid solutions.

"But we are determined to work and do what it takes to become the Government so we are in a position to sort out the problems.

"Then we will put our policies and programmes into place. So many policies we have developed over the years have been adopted by the United Bermuda Party.

"And we're not in a position now to give an overall synopsis of what we would do to tackle the problems of youths and violence.

"But our ideas are well documented in previous studies and statements, our speeches during Budget debates and our response to the Education Act.

"We will use our election platform to give the public the fine details. But we promise we are ready to address the problems.'' During the meeting, Sheelagh Cooper, who runs the Coalition for the Protection of Children, called for a five percent tax on alcohol sales.

She said: "In order to tackle the problems of violence amongst our young people we need to improve our education system, provide more school counsellors and substance workers.

"The emphasis must be on the public to pay for that. And I believe there should be a five percent surcharge on all alcohol sold in this community.'' Bursts of applause from the audience of around 100 PLP members follwed her call for a booze tax.

And Wayne Perinchief, former Deputy Commisioner of the Bermuda Police Service, spoke of the need to "understand'' young people.

He said: "The greatest support system young people feel they have is with their own peer group.

"Their networking would baffle the CIA, MI5 and FBI. But it is vital for us to understand that their violence can be an expression of frustration and powerlessness.'' Government ministers announced last week that uniformed Police would patrol buses in a bid to curb violence and vandalism.

Transport Minister Wayne Furbert and the Education Minister Jerome Dill revealed a series of new anti-violence measures, including prosecuting students caught in the act.

Thursday night's forum marked the first event of what is likely to be the last PLP party conference before a General Election is called.

Organiser Marie Roberts said party business will start on Monday, with annual reports from secretary general Walter Roban, chairman Victor Fishington and other party officials.

And Ms Smith will give the party faithful an overview of her first year in charge of the PLP.

On Tuesday, Calvin Smith will discuss campaign issues with party members -- vital, as the next election must be held by next October, while Wednesday sees the treasurer's report.

Ms Roberts said: "On Thursday we are doing a combined workshop of Parliamentarians and delegates.'' And on Friday, there will be an Island-wide tree planting drive covering every constituency by MPs and members "to promote a healthier environment''.

Business will cease for Hallowe'en and the grand finale of the conference will be a banquet at the Southampton Princess on Saturday night.

The guest speaker will be Bermudian-born, US-based Shelby Durham-Jackson, president and chief executive officer of Rehab Options Inc.

Tickets for the banquet -- priced at $65 -- are available from the legal offices of Lois Browne Evans, the York Street Menswear Shop, Sports A Wear and Malcolm's Barbershop, all St. George's, Caesar's Pharmacy, Somerset, Lois Browne Evans' legal offices in Hamilton or through branch officers in constituencies.

POLITICS PTL