Chamber of Commerce boss Philip Barnett yesterday insisted blacks would gain an increased presence in the business community with or without legislation designed to help them catch up.

Mr. Barnett said it would be better for Bermuda if the evolution of the economy was allowed to happen by natural means.

He said he did not have access to statistics which would confirm whether Premier Ewart Brown's estimation was accurate that the business community did not need any economic reassurance because it is probably 90 percent controlled by white Bermudians.

But he pointed to Brown and Co. and the Phoenix Group, which he said were likely to continue growing in strength, and predicted there would be further opportunities as more white-owned companies go the same way as Trimingham's and A.F. Smith.

"The Bermuda of old was white-owned, you can't dispute that, in the days of the 40 thieves," said Mr. Barnett.

"The closure of Trimingham's and Smith's, and opening of Brown and Co. in place of it is not only a sign of the times, but goes to show that good business is what's going to win out nowadays.

"They are doing well, very well, expanding. They've got their finger on the pulse of what Bermudians need and all power to them.

"Certainly, may we continue seeing a situation where business succeeds on the products they offer, not on whether they are black or white.

"Shopping around, I see Cooper's: white owned; Island Shop: white owned; in the retail community, maybe so. But I also see a lot of retailers struggling because they have not kept up with the times. It's a prime time for new companies to take over.

"If we allow things to happen naturally, it's going to be so much better for everyone."

Dr. Brown made his comment in an interview with the UK's BBC the day after the Progressive Labour Party won the General Election.

During the interview, he was twice asked how he was going to reach out to the white community or offer them reassurance, but his only response was to say that the white population does not need a great deal of reassurance as the private sector is mostly controlled by white Bermudians.

The Commission for Unity and Racial Equality (CURE) has failed to respond to requests for a comment over the Premier's stance.

Yesterday, The Royal Gazette contacted the Premier's Press Secretary Glenn Jones several times to ask whether Dr. Brown would like to say anything to reach out to the white community. We received no response.