ELDER statesman and former Member of Parliament Arnold Francis long ago made the statement that Bermuda was in danger of creating two societies — one Bermudian-born, the other foreign-born.In the wake of the appearance of so-called anti-expatriate fliers that have been found papering Hamilton and the official condemnation of the opinions they contain — namely, the summary expulsion of all foreigners — I am reminded of Mr. Francis' stark warning about the future development of this country and how the island's economic development will inevitably generate conflict between Bermudians and non-Bermudians.

For no matter what you may think of the crude threats made against Bermuda's foreign workers in these fliers, such extreme views were bound to make their appearance in our society in some form or another. It cannot be denied that in recent years a great many Bermudians have begun to feel increasingly squeezed in their own country thanks to an increasing influx of foreign workers needed to maintain our economy.

Whether it's in the area of housing — where Bermudians of all races and economic levels find themselves increasingly hard pressed to compete with non-Bermudians for somewhere to live — to the state of traffic congestion on Bermuda's roads to the rising concern that Bermudian children find themselves in competition with non-Bermudian children for spaces in Bermudian schools, the impact of newly-arrived guest workers is making itself felt.

And we still hear complaints from young Bermudians who, having finished their schooling abroad, are unable to find jobs in their own country.

Newly-appointed Home Affairs Minister Derrick Burgess was quick to issue a statement condemning the anti-expatriate leaflets. As the Government, the Progressive Labour Party has to act in the interests of all of Bermuda.

That is understood, However, at the time that the PLP was in Opposition I'm sure it would have issued a more measured and qualified statement on the subject of the fliers.

Mr. Francis' statement, made all those years ago, still echoes down to us today. In fact, the state of relations between Bermudian and non-Bermudian is the elephant that sits in the Bermudian's front room.

It is true that 30 per cent of Bermuda's workforce is foreign-born. Any significant reduction of that figure is bound to affect Bermuda's economy, big time. I doubt if the person or persons behind the anti-expat fliers are fully aware of the consequences of showing the door to the entire guest worker population.

But still, even given the undoubted importance of imported labour to our economy, as a Bermudian I am not prepared to give away all of my rights to this country.

For that reason I do not agree that Bermuda's foreign workforce should be given the title "guest worker" for it suggests a certain deference that should only be given to visitors who come to the island.

As a black Bermudian I am well aware that the importation of foreign labour has not always been in the best interests of my community. In fact, it is remarkable that Bermudians have the high level of tolerance and acceptance of its foreign-born labour that it has.

Can you imagine the reaction in the United Kingdom if the foreign-born component of its workforce approached the 30 per cent level? Europe's immigrant population has not yet reached ten per cent, yet we hear repeated concerns about the level of non-European workers and/or immigrants who are allowed across European frontiers — a situation that is even now resulting in stricter border controls and immigration laws.

As I have stated, Bermuda generally has a high level of acceptance for foreign-born workers although the former United Bermuda Party Government deserves no credit for this community-wide tolerance given on more than a few occasions it let it be known that it was not willing to utilise the full potential of Bermuda's population.

I learned that lesson very early in life. In fact, I became aware of this state of affairs during my school years. I remember a policy change that rebounded heavily on Bermudians and led to the expulsion of many from Bermuda's school system.

During my school years there were a number of Bermudians teaching in Bermuda's schools who did not hold teaching certificates. I suppose in today's terms, they would have been classed as substitute teachers. But a decision was made to get rid of them and bring in a number of foreign teachers.

But the irony was not all of them held teaching certificates. In fact, in the boys' school I attended there appeared to be a lot of young men who were just out of the British military, having served their three years of National Service.

How do I know this? As I recall, one of them admitted this to the class. They had thrown him in at the deep end in terms of appointing him as a teacher in Bermuda — and he freely admitted that he had just got out of the Royal Air Force.

I guess he was perplexed at the absurd situation of being in charge of a class, whereas in Britain he would not have been allowed anywhere near a class — let alone being made a form master and being expected to teach.

The government of the day allowed this to happen while it threw Bermudians out of the system, who, given a chance, may have very well gained a teaching certificate.SIMILAR situations cropped up in Bermuda's hotels, where foreign workers were given greater opportunities than their Bermudian counterparts. That's why even today if a Bermudian is given a top position, it makes the lead story in the news — it is still such a relatively rare occurrence.Most Bermudians have stories like this and it is a testimony to the Bermudian character and culture that we did not allow bitterness to direct our actions and feelings to the foreign worker in our midst.

But every rope has its end and though most Bermudians would not agree with the sentiments expressed in those anti-expatriate leaflets, we should not delude ourselves into thinking that their appearance has appeared in a cultural or social vacuum.

There is a lot of history behind this. A history of wrong whose legacy we as a country have yet to overcome.